STATE OF PLAY: HOUSING

摘要

The apocalyptic predictions by ex-chancellor George Osborne of an 18% drop in house prices following a decision to leave the UK look, on current evidence, unlikely to materialise. While house sales were hit in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result, the latest figures from the RICS show that across the country sales rates are stabilising and prices starting to increase. Redraw chairman Steve Morgan earlier this month insisted Brexit had had "very little impact" at all. But optimism around the extent of Brexit impact shouldn't hide the fact that these are uncertain times for the housebuilding sector. Stamp duty rises introduced by Osborne combined with the vote to leave the EU have had a dramatic impact on activity in London - with housing starts down 62% in the most recent quarter, according to the latest NHBC stats - and added pressure elsewhere in the UK.