Easyroommate polled more than 1,800 property owners and tenants about their views on the best housing policies. Overall, the nation’s favourite housing policy was the Tory’s pledge to scrap Stamp Duty for first-time buyers on homes up to £250,000 permanently. 63% of those polled listed it as one of their favourite housing policies. In the budget, the Chancellor introduced the Tory policy for a two-year period.
69% of Tory voters named the Conservative’s stamp duty scheme as one of their favourite policies. It was also the highest ranked policy amongst Labour voters, as 62% said it was their favourite housing policy. But the most popular housing policy among Lib Dem voters (61%) was the Labour Party’s pledge to continue home ownership schemes for people who need help to buy a home.
Overall, the Liberal Democrats’ policies as a whole were the most popular with 26% of all voters selecting at least one of their policies as one of their “three most appealing policies”. The Tories came second with 25%, and Labour trailing behind with 19%.
Jonathan Moore, director of easyroommate.co.uk, said: “The Lib Dems have enjoyed a bounce recently, but it’s clear that their policies are a hit with voters too. But it’s also clear that the Tories also picked a winner with their stamp duty policy - and Labour were right to borrow it themselves. It’s Liberal Democrat voters themselves who surprised us. They aren’t backing Lib Dems’ housing pledges. Their favourite housing policies are Labour ones.”
Easyroommate also asked people “What are your most pressing housing issues?” The largest concern was interest rates, a worry for 55% of those polled. But there were distinct differences in the concerns of voters. For instance, UKIP voters were most worried by the value of their property, with 67% of them listing it as their biggest concern.