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
UK Sotheby’s lands former Carter Jonas heavyweight Macpherson in latest senior hiring round
Big-brand brokerage bolsters PCL and SW London teams with fresh wave of high-level appointments.
Trophy Lancaster Gate apartment block offered for sale
Agents instructed on rare unbroken freehold building just off Hyde Park, with investors and developers expected to target.
Watch: Beauchamp boss reveals how billionaires really buy homes in Prime Central London
Veteran super-prime agent Gary Hersham discusses the psychology of trophy-home purchasing, shifting UHNW demand patterns - and why the very top end has effectively detached itself from the wider Prime…
In Pictures: Ashgrove Homes & Studio Indigo collaborate on Belgravia mews project
Luxury development and design teams complete 3,000 sq ft residence on one of PCL's sought-after cobbled backstreets.
Licence to Sell: Firethorn brings former Westminster ‘spy school’ to market
Agents instructed on 'landmark' London office block with MI5 links and consent for a significant resi reinvention.
Art Deco-inspired ultra-prime mansion changes hands in Knightsbridge
Luxury developer sells pair of trophy homes - including the former residence of ballerina Margot Fonteyn - in fresh boost for PCL market.
Buxmead penthouse seeks £16.95mn after A-list tenancy
Marquee residence atop the Billionaires’ Row apartment scheme returns to market, billed as ‘one of the strongest offerings currently available in North London.’
By PrimeResi
Residence One expands into high-end construction
Luxury developer behind more than £400mn of PCL projects launches dedicated construction division as demand grows for experienced contractors.
Campions expands in SW London with Battersea & Nine Elms swoop
Agency group presses ahead with growth drive following recent acquisitions of Aston Chase and Madison Brook.
In Pictures: Met-linked Palladian masterpiece hits the market at £12mn
Oxfordshire’s Grade I listed Kirtlington Park sits in the very top echelon of England’s country houses, says Savills, as it lands another trophy instruction.
LATEST ARTICLES
Savills warns of weaker year for prime property markets
'Market conditions have notably shifted' in the last six months, say analysts, as top-end price forecasts are scaled back again.
By PrimeResi
Former Schroders base in Mayfair cleared for prime resi conversion
'Remarkable' Upper Grosvenor Street building is set to deliver eight apartments alongside valet-led parking facility in Reeves Mews.
British Land picks new CEO
Joanne McNamara will lead the FTSE-100 property company, replacing outgoing chief Simon Carter.
By PrimeResi
Camilla Dell: On the ‘extremely delicate business’ of negotiating in a buyers’ market
Vendors are 'on the ropes,' says buying agency boss, as she reports 'record discounts & exceptional value across Prime Central London'. But buyers still need a deft touch to secure a good price.
By Camilla Dell
Carter Jonas debuts filming location division
Property firm tapping into strong demand across the UK’s thriving production market.