General Election 2024: housing policy round up
The property industry urgently needs a clear strategy and strong, consistent leadership from the next UK Government. As the nation prepares to go to the polls on Thursday 4 July Propertymark has examined the manifesto promises on housing from major parties to see what is on offer to voters who care about the future of our sector.
Member voices heard at the House of Commons
Propertymark was invited to give evidence to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee (LUHCC) as part of their inquiry into the role the UK Government, local councils and developers have in ensuring the delivery of suitable housing for disabled people, and what the UK Government can do to support disabled tenants in the private rented sector.
Help to Buy Wales extended for two years
The current phase of the scheme will close for applications at the end of March 2023, and the Welsh Government will be introducing a new price cap of £300,000 from April 2023, in line with increases in average house prices in Wales.
Maximum property value for Co-Ownership increased
Northern Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced an increase in the Co-Ownership property value limit from £175,000 to £190,000 to continue to support people into home ownership. The increase takes effect from 21 September 2022 and applies to the Co-Own, Co-Own for Over 55s and Rent to Own schemes.
Improvements to shared equity housing scheme
The threshold of the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme in Scotland – which allows people to buy a home without having to fund its entire cost – has been raised by 9 per cent to reflect rising house prices.
Over 300,000 homes sold with Help to Buy
Sam Legg, a nineteen year old farmer from Leicestershire, has become the 300,000th homeowner to use the Help to Buy: Equity Loan Scheme since its launch in 2013 and urges others to do the same.
Welsh Government launches new Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme
From 1 April 2021, a new Help to Buy scheme will be introduced in Wales, replacing the current scheme which closes to new applications on 31 March 2021.
Propertymark calls for stamp duty holiday extension in budget manifesto
Ahead of the budget on 3 March, Propertymark has published its manifesto asking for ten changes the UK Government to make to support the housing sector. Principal changes are a continuation of the cut in stamp duty and extending the Help to Buy scheme to the second-hand homes market.
New Help to Buy: Equity Loan Scheme
First-time buyers looking to purchase a home in England will continue to receive Government support under the revised Help to Buy: Equity Loan Scheme (2021-2023), which is now open for applications with buyers able to move into their new properties from 1 April 2021.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2020
Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020, Propertymark highlights the requirement for the UK Government to invest in appropriate infrastructure and innovation, to level up economic opportunity.
Government extends Help to Buy scheme
House buyers using the Help to Buy scheme, now have until 30 March to complete their transactions. The Government extension to the deadline was introduced following the many building sites which were closed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Homes England unlocks Help to Buy: Equity Loan calculator
Brokers and financial advisers will be better able to check the likely success of their clients Help to Buy: Equity Loan applications, following an update to the Homes England sustainability calculator.
Changes to shared ownership announced
Plans for a new national model for shared ownership will help thousands of lower earners step onto the housing ladder. A package of measures to help people on lower incomes get onto the housing ladder have been confirmed by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Marketing Help to Buy homes effectively — what agents need to know
Meeting advertising requirements may not be the first thing you think of when you think Help to Buy. But it’s very important when advertising to homebuyers interested in the Government’s Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme. If you don’t know the rules you may mislead customers, and be suspended from the scheme.
First time buyers using Help to Buy pay more for new homes
First time buyers in England buying a new home using the Government’s Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme are paying on average 10 per cent more than those buying new homes without Help to Buy, research from reallymoving has discovered.
Propertymark urges caution over unintended consequences of shared ownership changes
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced plans to help thousands of lower earners step onto the housing ladder. Changes to Help To Buy, that would make it easier for people to take out a mortgage, are also proposed.