Taylor Wimpey says demand for brand new houses is falling quickly

One of many UK’s greatest housebuilders has revealed that demand is falling quickly as consumers react to greater mortgage charges and the prospect of a recession.

In an replace on Wednesday, Taylor Wimpey mentioned that over the previous 5 months it has been promoting houses at round half the tempo it was within the first half of the 12 months.

In one other worrying signal for the sector, the variety of Taylor Wimpey homebuyers cancelling purchases forward of completion has jumped by greater than 50 per cent. Just below 1 / 4 of purchases have been cancelled within the second half of the 12 months to date, up from 15 per cent within the first half.

Taylor Wimpey nonetheless anticipates that working income for the total 12 months can be according to earlier steerage, at round £930mn, however it’s nonetheless bracing for a troublesome interval.

“We’re working in a difficult financial and political backdrop, and the sector isn’t immune,” mentioned Jenni Daly, the FTSE 100 group’s chief govt.

Greater mortgage charges after former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s “mini” Finances in September have left folks “re-evaluating their skill to purchase” and common gross sales costs have plateaued after a interval of sturdy development, she added.

The tempo of gross sales might sluggish additional, warned Investec analyst Aynsley Lammin, as a result of people who find themselves finishing purchases for the time being would typically have cheaper mortgages that have been agreed earlier than the Finances, whereas these beginning the method now must pay a lot greater charges.

“The important thing concern can be that if the gross sales price stays so sluggish into the spring promoting season then pricing will begin to be hit,” he mentioned.

Taylor Wimpey can also be grappling with construct price inflation of 9-10 per cent. In the meantime, new levies and the necessity to meet greater environmental requirements in development might add £4.5bn in annual bills to the sector, in accordance with the builders’ commerce physique.

Some are hoping for reassurance from the brand new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in his first price range subsequent week.

“After the final couple of months, I’d say our clients are involved concerning the Finances. Why wouldn’t you wait a pair weeks and see what the chancellor has to give you?” mentioned Daly.

However Lammin mentioned it was unlikely that Hunt’s assertion might reverse the rise in mortgage charges, or forestall the financial system from tipping into recession.

“It’s powerful on the market. Gross sales charges have tumbled and we’re in a brand new market,” he mentioned.

Shares in Taylor Wimpey have been flat on Wednesday at 98p, and have fallen round 45 per cent within the 12 months to this point.