Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.

Property Sector Calls on PM Burnham to Tackle Housing Reform

The UK property industry has called on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to prioritise housing reform following his appointment. Burnham has pledged to build more council homes and end rough sleeping, with a 10-year plan to be announced later this year.

Estate agents, trade bodies, and professional organisations have responded to Burnham’s initial statement from Downing Street, outlining their priorities for the new government. Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said the trade body looks forward to learning more about the government’s proposals and emphasised the complexity of delivering a sustainable mix of affordable housing across regions.

Justin Young, chief executive of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), highlighted the need to improve the home buying and selling process. According to RICS, the average transaction period is currently 120 days, with one in three sales falling through as of June. The organisation indicated it will assist the government in maintaining momentum behind recently announced home buying and selling reforms.

Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops, noted that while building more homes is essential, the market also depends on helping existing homes circulate more freely. Research from Jackson-Stops suggests that removing stamp duty costs could bring more than 300,000 owner-occupied homes onto the market across England within less than a year. The research also found that 42% of those whose moving plans have been delayed cited economic uncertainty as a reason. Auction volumes have risen by 35% as landlords offload stock amid ongoing market pressures.

Young from RICS also emphasised the importance of increasing the supply of quality affordable homes, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy. He stated that local authorities will need professional skills, resources, and support to deliver on the Prime Minister’s ambitions. Financial investment, both domestic and international, was highlighted as crucial for delivery across the built environment, alongside regulatory and planning reform.

Propertymark’s Emerson reinforced the need for a diverse housing mix delivered with a regional focus and supported by robust local infrastructure. The sector’s responses indicate expectations for early engagement on housing policy, particularly around the government’s 1.5 million homes target, transaction reform, and stamp duty review. The effectiveness of Burnham’s 10-year plan, due later this year, will depend on coordination with local authorities and improved management of social housing stock.