Housing Associations Buy Up Discounted Homes From Builders Amid Brexit Uncertainty

Housing associations are buying up new build homes from private builders at discounted rates, as they look to offload stock amid Brexit uncertainty in the housing market. Builders have sought out large housing associations in recent weeks to offer difficult-to-sell homes at discounts of up to 15%. The homes are being converted into affordable properties using government grant – but the move is a major sign of the growing uncertainty around Brexit and the stagnating market hitting house builders’ plans. Some are understood to be bolstering sales numbers before year end results. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/housing-associations-buy-up-discounted-homes-from-builders-amid-brexit-uncertainty-59683?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60

Builders Criticised For Lobbying Against Accessible Homes

Private housebuilders have been accused of “appalling self-interest” over their lobbying against building more accessible homes for disabled residents. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has been objecting to councils across England that wish to fix new targets to increase the number of homes with room for wheelchair users and which could be adaptable. It has made submissions to at least 17 authorities, from Liverpool to Sevenoaks, arguing that new local planning policies seeking more accessible housing could make it unprofitable to build new homes. The submissions also question whether predictions of an ageing population mean an increased demand for adaptable and accessible housing would be certain. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/28/builders-criticised-for-lobbying-against-accessible-homes

New Housebuilding In London To Halve As Sales Fall

Completions of new homes in London by private builders will plummet to just 18,000 by 2021 as developers adjust to lower rates of sales in the capital, Savills has warned. The property consultancy released its forecasts for the London property market today, showing total completions are expected to peak at 46,500 homes this year, above the 42,000 target set in the London Plan. However, it warns private starts will total just 21,500 this year, with completions by the private sector dropping to 18,000 within four years as builders adjust to lower sales rates. Read more on the Savills website.