More new houses built, fewer building permits granted

In the first nine months of 2008, nearly 45 thousand new dwellings were completed, a 7 percent increase on the first three quarters of 2007. The amount of residential building permits granted declined by 3 percent.

Houses built in the first three quarters

More houses completed in Gelderland

The number of houses completed grew in nearly all provinces. The largest increase was recorded in Gelderland. In the provinces of Limburg, Overijssel and Drenthe, the number of houses completed dropped.

Houses completed, 2008 I-III relative to 2007 I-III

Decline in building permits granted

In the first nine months of last year, 58 thousand building permits were issued, i.e. 1.8 thousand down on the same period in 2007. The decline was most prominent in the province of North Holland. The largest increase was recorded in the provinces of South Holland and Utrecht.

The number of building permits issued gives an indication of the number of houses to be built in the near future. On average, it took 22 months for a new house to be finished after the building permit was issued. 

Increase in stock of houses nearing completion

By the end of September 2008, the stock of unfinished dwellings was nearly 189 thousand, more than 1 percent up on one year previously. With 42 thousand, the largest stock was recorded in South Holland, the smallest in the province of Zeeland (3.7 thousand).

Linda Slikkerveer