NHBC's latest statistics show that the principal housing type being started in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is a flat and a maisonette.
According to the NHBC's (National House Building Council) statistics, flats and maisonettes made up more than half (51%) of new homes started in England during quarter three this year – almost double the combined percentage of semi-detached and detached homes started (28%).

In Wales, NHBC statistics show that the percentage of flats and maisonettes started in the third quarter of this year rose from 34% in the second quarter to 46%, more than double the percentage of detached homes started (21%).

Quarter three figures for Scotland show flats and maisonettes rivalling detached houses – 37% compared with 39% respectively.

In Northern Ireland NHBC statistics show that flats and maisonettes made up 29% of all new homes started in quarter three 2007.

Additional statistics by NHBC found first-time buyers found their ability to buy dropped again in the third quarter of this year.

NHBC's first time buyers' ability-to-buy index decreased by six points during the quarter to 35 (the figure for quarter two 2007 was 41).

The index is based on a formula which takes into account the average cost of homes bought by first-time buyers, average income and mortgage interest rates (from the Nationwide Building Society). The higher the index, the greater the ability to buy.

The average number of daily sales of new homes in the UK for quarter three 2007 was 525, a decrease of 5% on the same period in 2006 (551).

NHBC statistics are based almost exclusively on information relating to its 20,000 (approximately) registered house builders who construct more than 80% of the new homes built in the UK.