Survey highlights industry concerns over housing supply and energy efficiency trends
A vast majority of property professionals are sceptical that the new government target of 1.5 million new homes for this current parliament will be achieved, results of a recent webinar poll have shown.
According to the online survey conducted by property risk management and valuation provider Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS), 95% of respondents do not believe the government will achieve its housing target.
The survey also gauged opinions on energy efficiency, an increasingly important factor for homebuyers. Of the respondents, 85% said energy efficiency would be either very important (20%) or somewhat important (65%) to buyers in the future. Meanwhile, 10% were neutral on the issue, while 5% deemed it not really important.
Panellists suggested that greater consumer education on the financial and environmental benefits of energy-efficient homes, as well as the costs of retrofitting older properties, could drive demand for more sustainable housing.
Opinions were divided on a proposed Stamp Duty holiday for new build homes, with 47% supporting the idea and 53% opposed. This split, CSS noted, reflects the challenges of designing government policies to incentivise homeownership while supporting the construction sector.
The poll results were presented during a CSS webinar attended by over 300 property professionals, including brokers, lenders, surveyors, and developers. The event explored key challenges and opportunities for the housing sector as it prepares for significant changes in 2025.
The panel included notable industry figures, such as Adam Raker, head of sales eastern at Hill Holdings; Nigel Banks, technical director at Octopus Energy; Richard Rothwell, commercial development manager at Leeds Building Society; Tim O’Hanlon, managing director at Torc24; and Andrew Peters, associate director of technical services at CSS. Morné Jacobs (pictured), director of new build at Countrywide Surveying Services, hosted the session.
“These results reflect the growing concern within the property industry about the feasibility of meeting the government’s ambitious new homes target,” Jacobs said. “It’s a stark reminder that significant structural changes and support mechanisms are needed to accelerate housebuilding. However, there are also positive trends, particularly the increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, which we expect to shape future housing demand.”
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