Mortgage brokers are hoping to see policy pledges to build houses, incentivise buyers, and promote the housing department during the election campaign.
One broker, Mather and Murray Financial independent financial adviser, Samuel Mather-Hodge, identified several aspects of housing policy that needs to be addressed by the next government.
“What has been lacking from government policy for the past five years is a coherent house building and buying incentive scheme,” he stated.
He added, above that, and something which has been missing for even longer, is a strategic housing policy that focuses on building millions of homes, mostly affordable, in the areas of demand.
However, Mather-Hodge stated that, while Labour has a clean slate it has “nothing currently on the table”.
Therefore, he argued that: “We need to understand their ambitions before the election so we can hold them to their manifesto pledges when in office.”
Lawson Financial director, Michelle Lawson, said the next government should look at making housing a senior department rather than just a “feeder role”.
She would also like to see the two major parties make all fundamental basics, such as health, education and housing, cross party rather than “political hot potatoes”.
Meanwhile, Peak Mortgages and Protection brand director, Rhys Schofield, has “everything crossed” for a clever and long term housing strategy.
He argued this will build enough houses for people to live in and bring an end to “inflation busting” house price rises that discourage first-time buyers from getting on the property ladder.
Landlords
Cyborg Finance CTO, Adam Hosker, offered the perspective of landlords saying his personal conversations revealed a lack of concern with certain Labour policies.
“They are mostly not worried about Labour’s rent controls, thinking rent controls have historically raised rents instead,” he explained.
Instead, Hosker said landlords are weary of the Conservative party who have “made landlords the only business taxed on turnover instead of profits” and who have recently “been working to make evictions harder”.
However, Albion Financial Advice director, Dariusz Karpowicz offered a different perspective, saying: “Labour plans to make life even harder for small landlords with more regulations.”
“Over the next six weeks, I’d hope to see policies aimed at increasing housing supply, improving affordability, and offering support for first-time buyers.”
However, he acknowledged that short-term fixes, rather than long-term solutions are more realistic.
“Let’s hope for some innovative and impactful pledges that truly address the root problems,” he added.
tom.dunstan@ft.com
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