Why the Covid stamp duty holiday reveals big problems in the housing market
HM Treasury "misjudged" the property market when it introduced the Stamp Duty holiday last year, writes Michael Ball, Professor of Urban and Property Economics at the University of Reading's Henley Business School. "What must have looked superficially to be a wizard policy idea – stimulating the housing market and gaining political bouquets from happy buyers at the same time – has rebounded badly."

Written by
Michael Ball
Professor of Urban and Property Economics, University of Reading at
University of Reading
The Journal of Luxury Property. Required reading for prime property professionals.
‘Costly & unnecessary’ Stamp Duty holiday ‘not the main cause of house price boom’ – Resolution Foundation
"Stronger forces" than the temporary tax break have been at play in the housing market over the last year, says an influential think tank - which argues that the UK's Stamp Duty holidays have been "problematic…
‘End stamp duty to rebalance the housing market’ – RICS
20% of surveyors believe replacing Stamp Duty with a modernised Council Tax would benefit the property market and wider economy
By PrimeResi
Stamp Duty holiday deadline is ‘not a dealbreaker for most buyers’, as vaccine set to boost the property market next year
The Stamp Duty holiday "is not a dealbreaker for most buyers (especially at the top end)", says Savills, after surveying 1,300 prime property buyers and sellers.
Most read
‘A transformative project for London’: The Whiteley’s spectacular grand opening, in pictures
£1.5bn West London scheme arrives in style with lavish 600-guest party; ushers in 'new era' for Queensway.
One Hyde Park residents sue over alleged defects
Corroded pipes could cost £35mn to repair, suggest lawyers for super-prime Knightsbridge home-owners.
By PrimeResi
Charlie Ellingworth: A ‘tour d’horizon’ of the prime property market in 2025
Property Vision's co-founder runs through some of the major developments & legislation that have shaped, and are shaping, the landscape in London & the country.
Fleetwood Mac legend’s London penthouse goes up for sale
Beauchamp Estates is expecting 'global interest' in the late Christine McVie's residence on Eaton Place.
In Pictures: ‘Iconic’ Kensington penthouse seeks buyer
'Garden in the sky' was created in the early 1960s & sits at almost the highest point in the Royal Borough.
New private office offers ‘closed-loop’ property service in prime markets
Ben Sloane, formerly of House Collective, teams up with ex-KPMG & PwC man Richard Morris on new London-based venture, The 38 Group.
25 Years On: How the super-prime lettings landscape has changed since the turn of the millennium
Today's top-end tenants are a lot more footloose & want the comfort of five-star hotel living, explains Amelia Greene.
Former Engel & Völkers chief joins Spain Sotheby’s International Realty
Vivium-owned luxury real estate firm brings in Sven Odia as Executive Chairman, as some ambitious expansion plans take shape.
In Pictures: Inside ‘one of the widest & most impressive’ homes in Regent’s Park
Grade I-listed mansion-and-mews combo on Hanover Terrace measures over 7,700 sq ft & has views across the iconic boating lake.
What $1mn buys where: How prime residential buying power has shifted in the last decade
Knight Frank flags a remarkable shift in London's fortunes on the global luxury property stage.
By PrimeResi
LATEST ARTICLES
‘The Great Luxury Correction’: Handbags hold their own as other ‘investments of passion’ slip
Knight Frank’s Luxury Index fell 3.3% in 2024 despite soaring financial markets.
By PrimeResi
New-build super-home project in London achieves ‘unprecedented’ air quality
Spectacular PCL scheme 'sets a new standard for luxury property development...that prioritises the invisible elements of design'.
Behind the Schemes: Delivering a ‘groundbreaking’ sustainable super-home in Knightsbridge
Leroy Smith of luxury design firm Rigby & Rigby talks us through a trailblazing project in Prime Central London.
Resi developer sought for famous Islington music studio site
Wish you were here? London's Britannia Row Studios was used by the likes of Pink Floyd, Joy Division, Kylie Minogue, Pulp, James Blunt and Westlife.
By PrimeResi
London diplomat network picks Hamptons as official property partner
The agency will be finding homes for upwards of 50 diplomats in the capital and beyond this year.