In the midst of the second most crucial house selling season of the year, the UK housing market continues to struggle. Persimmon homes is placing the blame on the banks’ lack of lending, especially to first time buyers.

The company commented on sales during the month of September, saying: "Although weekly sales increased gradually during September, we did not experience the normal autumn increase in visitor levels and reservations."

Following the summer months, the market usually sees an increase in sales which provides a welcome boost through the end of the year. This year sales have been sluggish, adding to the growing feeling of a market in desperate need of a make over.

On top of a sluggish September, two major lenders, Halifax and Nationwide, have made numerous public warnings of upcoming months of lower house prices.

Persimmon commented further on finance availability, saying: "Mortgage availability remains a major obstacle for customers who wish to purchase a home, especially first-time buyers who do not have the required large deposits. Further recovery in industry output and sales will be dependent upon an increase in the supply of mortgage products on appropriate terms."

Despite a less than stellar fall selling season, Persimmon is fully booked through the end of this year.

The homebuilder already has over 450 million pounds on the books to build beyond 2010. Completed houses will number 9,400 for this year, up 5 per cent from 2009.

Analysts with Citi commented on the industry as a whole, saying: "Persimmon should have seen similar trends to the rest of the new-build industry in the last couple of months – for example, a limited pick-up in reservation rates post the summer."