ELECTION COMMENT
Industry comment
“We congratulate Grant on his appointment to the role which, under Labour, had the biggest staff turnover of any
government position.” Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, said, We have dealt extensively with Grant Shapps during his tenure as shadow minister and his extensive grasp of the
sector’s many issues will mean he can get down to business right away. His enthusiasm and ideas will go a long
way to helping reshape our housing industry, but there will be numerous challenges ahead.”
“Our latest research shows that rent levels are on the rise, indicating a potential market stabilisation, but also highlighting the dearth of available rental properties.” said Ian Potter, Operations Manager. ARLA says that the new CGT policy could create a shortage in rental property supply as investors look to sell off their portfolios and also
deter future investors from entering the private rented sector. “With the anticipated increase in Capital
Gains Tax rates for non-business assets, we could potentially see a fire sale situation arise in the buy-to-let market with investors offloading properties. Consequently, the number of available rentals will greatly diminish and the fragile market recovery jeopardised. There are some potential solutions, one of which is that landlords should be treated as exempt businesses. For example, could the new Government propose taper relief, or rollover relief into the CGT changes? We need clarity before this new Government risks damaging the confidence of the recovering property market.”
10 JUNE 2010 PROPERTYdrum
“That failure to implement the decision to scrap HIPs quickly would confuse consumers and the housing market.” Peter Bolton King, NAEA CEO, warned, “This is great news for the housing market and for house buyers, few of whom have paid much attention to these pointless packs.
It is also good news for sellers, who will no longer need to shell out hundreds of pounds for a piece of pointless regulation that benefits no one. But it is vital that the new Government
acts on this commitment boldly, decisively and quickly. Sellers are not going to be prepared to spend hundreds of pounds now if they feel they won’t have to in a few months. The implications to the market of thousands of people suddenly deciding to hold off selling their home could be severe.
This quick decisive decision
to scrap HIPs is good news for the
property market.” Stephen Ludlow, Director of ludlowthompson. com
“It’s great to hear about the appointment of Eric Pickles as Secretary of State and Grant Shapps as the new
Minister for Housing.” Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive, said, “Mr Pickles has considerable experience around local government and CIH has had positive and strong dialogue with Mr Shapps over the last three years while he was Shadow Housing Minister. We look forward to working with both of these key appointments in what is a challenging time for the economy and housing markets.”
“This latest ministerial appointment shows some consistency as Grant Shapps has had the Shadow Housing brief for a number of years.” Simon Gordon, Head of Communications, National Landlords Association said, We very much look forward to working with him on the housing challenges before the sector, but it is disappointing that he will not be attending Cabinet.
“The demise of HIPs had
come not a day too soon.” Spicerhaart CEO Paul Smith said, “Once Home Condition Reports were abandoned, HIPs became a pointless exercise. They didn’t stop time- wasting or sales falling through and the public
showed no interest in looking at them whatsoever. The one saving grace of this failed Labour legislation is that EPCs are to be kept. As for the industry, we’re now in limbo land. Do we sell HIPs until the law is changed, or don’t we? We need a clear timetable and a period of transition.”
“Quest is urging the new Conservative-led coalition government to consider adopting a version of the Scottish Home Report in England and Wales.” James Sherwood-Rogers, MD, Quest said, “There would be real advantages of incorporating the contents of the Home Report in this new solution for England
and Wales to deliver true transparency to consumers. It is also important to point out that there would be little cost difference for consumers, as the condition survey would be in place of the legal searches. By adopting this solution, we believe the new Government can quickly implement a solution that results in minimal disruption whilst maximising consumer benefits”
Add your own opinions to the debate at:
www.propertydrum.com/articles/coalition
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76