Housing shortages and high rents.

Zac Goldsmith the Conservative London mayoral candidate has reportedly said London needs to see housebuilding at a level  last seen in the 1930s,  he claims that the current housing shortage is a “social crisis.” He has vowed to double house-building in the capital, pledging to ensure homes are built at a rate of 50,000 a year by 2020.

He reportedly said: “We know this is the number one concern for Londoners and we know it is the number one concern for businesses.

“We know the only solution is to massively ramp up the number of homes we are building to help close the gap between what we need and what we are currently building and that means around 50,000 homes a year, it means going back to the 1930s levels of housebuilding which will require monumental effort but we also know that is possible.

“We have vast amounts of publically owned land brownfield land which is not being used which could be used and we need to unlock that land,  both through transport extensions but also by prizing it away from public bodies that has to be the absolute emphasis.

The Labour candidate Sadiq Khan has reportedly pledged to build  a minimum of 80,000 new homes a year.

At the same time as London experiences a shortage of housing the Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett is demanding greater protection for people living in private rented accommodation,  that would include the creation of a Living Rent Commission by the government. Housing shortages and high rents go hand in hand, both these issues need to be addressed simaltaneously by the Government and the London Mayor.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove asks government to consider retaining first-time buyer stamp duty threshold

New analysis shows only 37% of homes for sale will be eligible for first-time buyer stamp duty relief in England come next April, down from 58% of homes that are currently eligible Currently, a first-time buyer pays no stamp duty on properties up to £425,000, but this is due to drop back to £300,000 from…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

5 Steps to Becoming the Best Estate Agent in Your Town

Are you passionate about your estate agency and want to become the most noted estate agency in your local area? Finding a family their dream home can feel like the greatest accomplishment, and can be extremely rewarding. In order to become the best estate agent in town, here are some top tips for success. 1.…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 25/07/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Latest property data trust framework helps digitise conveyancing The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has released the newest version of its property data trust framework which, among other benefits, will help key conveyancing information to be provided digitally. It will be easier for consumers to…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker

Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert said: “We’ve seen average mortgage rates drop at a pace not seen for a while this week, faster than many expected as lender competition hots up. The first sub 4% rate for those with larger deposits and prepared to pay a higher fee is the headline-grabber, but we’ve also seen…
Read More
Coastal and sea front property
Estate Agent Talk

Why You Should Invest in Herne Bay Property

Herne Bay, a charming coastal town in Kent, is fast becoming a hotspot for property investment. With its picturesque seafront, vibrant community, and excellent transport links, Herne Bay offers a wealth of opportunities for property investors. If you are considering a property investment and looking for estate agents in Herne Bay to guide you through…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 24/07/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The recent UK election, with a new Labour government, is set to have significant implications for lettings. As housing is a devolved matter in Wales, local governance and devolution will play a crucial role in shaping this sector. Williams & Goodwin The Property People,…
Read More