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This article provides insights and policy recommendations from experts in the property sector for the next government. The recommendations focus on addressing the housing crisis, cost-of-living issues, and climate change. Experts suggest enabling more home construction, supporting first-time buyers, implementing green initiatives, reforming the planning process, investing in vocational training, and promoting affordable housing. They also emphasize the importance of addressing the rental market, boosting development, and implementing strategic approaches to achieve the government's levelling-up agenda. Additionally, the article highlights the need to prioritize integrated retirement communities for older people, reform the business rates system, fix the planning process, and modernize the Landlord and Tenant Act to support the retail sector. The government should also invest in life sciences space and create an environment that encourages long-term investment in real estate. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing the chronic undersupply of housing, properly resourcing planning departments, and supporting the growth of the proptech sector. Overall, a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach is needed to ensure the UK property sector remains competitive and sustainable. [Extracted from the article]

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced tax changes that will impact the property market, including increasing the stamp duty land tax surcharge for second homes to 5% and ending stamp duty exemptions for first-time buyers in April 2025. These changes may lead to a rush of buyers before the deadline and affect the rental market, potentially increasing rents. The budget also includes reforms to inheritance tax and the abolition of the non-doms tax regime, aiming to address a fiscal shortfall and boost affordable housing availability. [Extracted from the article]

The UK's high-end housing market faces a blow with proposed tax increases by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, including a surprise two percentage point hike to stamp duty for landlords and second-home owners. These measures aim to deter investors in favor of first-time home buyers, potentially causing planned purchases to collapse. The changes may impact the rental market as well, with analysts warning of constraints on supply and upward pressure on rents. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the potential impacts of the upcoming Budget on homeowners, landlords, and first-time buyers. Speculation surrounds changes to capital gains tax (CGT) that may affect buy-to-let landlords, while there are hopes for the introduction of the Freedom to Buy scheme for first-time buyers. Additionally, there is anticipation regarding potential adjustments to stamp duty thresholds and improvements to the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and Lifetime ISA for first-time buyers. The Budget may bring changes that could have varying effects on different segments of the housing market. [Extracted from the article]

So poor old retirement housing doesn't really get a look in." Mayhew is eager to stress that it is not just the new-build market that needs attention, but also older housing stock. Developers are starting to build really good-quality retirement accommodation The quality of available older people's housing stock can also be a big turn-off for many over-65s looking to downsize, but Mayhew says such issues can be overcome: "If you line up the incentives and respond to what people want, you will get movement. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the impact of political change on the property industry and argues that instead of fearing political shifts, the industry should focus on promoting a better understanding of its capabilities. The author examines the records of both Labour and Conservative governments in relation to the property industry, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. They emphasize the need for the industry to unite and campaign for policies that support its objectives, such as better-quality buildings, energy efficiency, and affordable housing. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of a thriving property industry for the overall success of the government, regardless of its political affiliation. [Extracted from the article]

Experts in the property industry have criticized Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget for its lack of support for new business rates and affordable housing. Many have expressed disappointment with the lack of new business rates support, arguing that the current levels are unsustainable and deter new investment in businesses. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the increase in rates bills for properties and the failure to meet the annual target for new homes. However, there is some positive news as AstraZeneca has announced a £650 million investment in expanding its UK footprint, which will boost the nation's life sciences sector. [Extracted from the article]

Negative gearing is a tax strategy in Australia that allows individuals to deduct losses from their investment properties against other income, reducing their tax liability. It is commonly used for property investments but also applies to other investments. While negative gearing can provide tax benefits, it can also result in a large capital gains tax bill when the property is sold. Approximately 47% of property investors in Australia negatively gear their properties. The impact of negative gearing on housing affordability is complex, and other measures such as increasing capital gains tax and investing in affordable housing are needed to address the issue. [Extracted from the article]

Hong Kong's government has decided to remove cooling measures on housing in order to boost the weak housing market. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has also eased mortgage rules, allowing some homebuyers to purchase properties with smaller down payments. Additionally, the government plans to raise taxes on high earners to reduce the budget deficit. These measures are part of a broader plan to revive growth in the financial hub, which has been impacted by falling home prices, national security measures, and the economic slowdown in China. [Extracted from the article]

'These projects are more complex and need a bit of special treatment Emma Cariaga, British Land Viability step-change Other developers agree that the government must find ways to improve viability if it isn't willing to invest directly. In a highly unusual and unexpected move, last week British Land and Landsec published a joint paper calling for planning reforms that would, the industry behemoths said, unlock brownfield sites and support the regeneration of towns and cities up and down the country. [Extracted from the article]

Building groups, inspired by German baugruppen, have been successful in Australia in providing high-performance, affordable housing in existing suburbs. These groups consist of future resident-owners who come together to develop their new homes, saving on developer's profit margins and having more control over design and quality. Building group members in Australia have saved around 10% on their new home building costs since 2010, as well as on transfer taxes/stamp duties and mortgage interest payments. While building groups offer significant rewards, members must also take on extra risk and contribute more upfront equity. However, new participants in the construction market can provide development expertise to building groups. The model is ready to be scaled up to deliver more affordable ownership and rental options, with the need for institutional investment from impact investors, community housing providers, member-based organizations, and governments. Building groups also offer improved outcomes for shared equity schemes, as developing housing creates immediate equity that can be used to buy out co-investors earlier. [Extracted from the article]

"End Is Near" for Singapore's Housing Rally, Morgan Stanley Says "An actual home price decline is yet to be priced in for developer stocks", Ng and Chang wrote. (Bloomberg) -- Singapore's seven-year rally in private home prices, the longest upcycle since the 1980s, is about to end as a demand-supply imbalance could reverse next year, according to Morgan Stanley. [Extracted from the article]

Britain is suffering a housing affordability crisis, especially in the rental market where properties are in short supply and landlords are selling out after a jump in mortgage costs. (Bloomberg) -- The UK said at least 1.5 million homes in England and Wales are "truly vacant", raising questions about how property is taxed at a moment that the nation struggles with a housing shortage. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong is slashing extra stamp duties for some homebuyers and reversing a pandemic-era increase in stock trade levies as officials seek to boost the beleaguered property sector and revive the city's status as a financial hub. Before China's reduction, Hong Kong government said it had found "no adverse effect on trading" from the stamp duty hike and said stock prices were the biggest driver of trading. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong's property tax cuts are unlikely to reverse the city's worst real estate slump in two decades. Hong Kong's Tax Cuts Seen as "Band-Aid Solution" for Home Market "The relaxation of cooling measures is only a band-aid solution that is unlikely to reverse the downward trend of home prices", Joseph Tsang, chairman of JLL Hong Kong, said in a statement. [Extracted from the article]

Byline: admin * Ashok Mohanani takes charge as the new NAREDCO West President * NAREDCO West announces a consortium of developers from Tier II and III cities of Maharashtra to [...]

From 2009 to 2015, new-build housing starts in inner London enjoyed an almost undisturbed upward trajectory. From a low of 2,080 in 2009, the market reached a peak of 15,728 [...]

The article offers information about the discussion on progress towards net-zero housing at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Net Zero, where Brett Amphlett represented the BMF. The meeting, chaired by Alex Sobel , discussed incentives, investment, and innovation needed to improve housing and heard demands for overhauling standards and incentives to align buildings with net-zero targets.

The Gujarat government has allocated Rs 1,248 crore for construction of affordable housing units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) during the current fiscal. With this, the state government [...]

The article offers suggestions for first-time house buyers for buying a house in Great Britain following exit of the country from the European Union (Brexit). Topics include considering mortgage arrangement fees and stamp duty; financial advisers to take into account income, employment and credit history of buyers; and shared ownership schemes of housing associations. Other topics include longer mortgage repayment period and checking parking facilities and structural condition of homes.

How changes to planning are likely to affect development: Boyer experts discuss "levelling up", local plans, housing targets, land value capture and water neutrality. If a developer were taxed at the point of development, this discount would distort the value of the land - and so reduce the quantum of land value capture that could be achieved. The levelling-up white paper: Simon Atha, associate director, Midlands The levelling-up white paper is now anticipated early in 2022. [Extracted from the article]