People who move into a new-build home can choose from a host of benefits that make the properties better suited to contemporary lifestyles, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has claimed.

Among the key advantages are the provision of a ten-year warranty and higher levels of energy efficiency, which not only has a positive impact on the environment but also translates into energy savings.

HBF director of external affairs John Slaughter cited recent research which indicated that 17 per cent of space in older builds is used inefficiently by residents, often due to an overemphasis on formally-separated dining rooms.

By comparison, many new builds have open-plan formats which make them "more in tune with contemporary lifestyles" and also allow greater scope for home improvements.

"The industry is doing lots of good things," Mr Slaughter concluded. "We are building homes to much higher standards of energy efficiency under current building regulations than older homes, and they are designed more for the modern lifestyle than older properties."

Prime minister Gordon Brown has set a target of building three million new homes by 2020.