Jayne Bryant MS, The Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government has outlined the progress of the controversial Second Homes Pilot Scheme in the Dwyfor areas and expansion plans that 21 other local authorities will charge a council tax premium on second homes and long-term empty properties from April 2025.The Scheme looks to implement higher tax rates for second homes and holiday lets and introduce grants for first-time buyers to renovate empty homes.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a report on housebuilding and found the dominance of speculative private development paired with complex, unpredictable planning rules is the major cause of the long-term shortfall of new homes in the UK.

Reports, originating in The Independent newspaper, that the UK Government is considering a 1% deposit mortgage scheme as part of the March 2024 Budget may feel like a solution for those struggling to get their foot on the housing ladder. But the housing sector is sounding a note of caution about the potential impact on prices if more stock is not made available.

HOUSING REPORT: The average number of properties listed per member agent branch has risen — from 19 in January to 23 in February, the highest it’s been for five months.

HOUSING MARKET REPORT: Propertymark members have recorded a sharp rise in homes coming onto the market with the average number of new instructions per member branch rising from five in December to nine for January.

HOUSING MARKET REPORT: The average number of house hunters registered per member branch was the highest December on record at 461, with the average supply of properties continuing to fall to an average of just 19, 42 per cent less than in December 2020.

The Welsh Government have embarked on a three-pronged approach to tackle what many are calling a ‘second homes crisis’ in some areas across Wales.

In episode 2 of series 6 of the Move iQ podcast, Phil Spencer chats to Propertymark CEO, Nathan Emerson about how relevant local estate agents are in securing a successful sale or purchase.

HOUSING MARKET REPORT: The number of buyers registered per Propertymark member branch has increased by 12 per cent from October and the supply of properties continues to fall to just 20 homes per branch – the lowest ever recorded and 50 per cent less than November 2020.

HOUSING MARKET REPORT: The number of available properties per branch has decreased to 21, the lowest figure on record and 46 per cent lower than October 2020.

The purpose of Homes England was outlined in the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee session on 15 November 2021 where it uncovered important aspects of the workings of the department and actions taken to deliver UK Government policy on housing.

Housing stock has seen a 40 per cent decline since January 2021, according to figures released by Propertymark, despite strong seller’s market.

A combination of the Stamp Duty Tax holiday, which transitioned to a new phase at the end of June, as well as a nationwide shift in lifestyle needs during the pandemic bred record-breaking sales.

The new ‘three-pronged approach’ focuses on affordability and availability of housing, which includes plans for a pilot area, where new measures will be trialled and evaluated before a wider rollout.

On 16 June, the Welsh Government debated the housing crisis facing locals and Siân Gwenllian MS began the debate by introducing several housing issues that were echoed by other MSs in the Chamber.

Market activity continues to grow and the appetite from prospective buyers is such that many properties are not being listed on the property portals, as agents focus on fulfilling Consumer Protection Regulations, completing Property Information Questionnaires, and marketing properties to those proceedable buyers, already registered with the agency.