Newly-built homes will have to last at least 2,000 years if the sluggish rate of house building continues at the current pace, the Local Government Association has warned. The LGA, which represents local authorities in England and Wales, said that the failure to build enough homes for decades meant existing properties will have to house […]
Newly-built homes will have to last at least 2,000 years if the sluggish rate of house building continues at the current pace, the Local Government Association has warned.
The LGA, which represents local authorities in England and Wales, said that the failure to build enough homes for decades meant existing properties will have to house more people and last for much longer.
This has led to the country spending nearly as much on the repair and maintenance of existing homes as it does building new ones.
Cllr Judith Blake, LGA Housing spokesperson, said: “Our country’s failure to build enough homes over the past few decades is putting huge pressure on our existing housing stock.
“Families are having to spend more on rent or mortgages every month and deserve a decent home that is affordable. But as costs are rising, so is dissatisfaction with the standards of new homes.
“Everyone deserves an affordable and decent place to live. It’s crucial that all new and existing homes are up to a decent standard.”
Most local areas have more homes built before 1930 then from any other period of time, demonstrating the age of much of England’s housing stock.
The LGA’s analysis also revealed that one in 10 new home buyers are dissatisfied with the quality of their new home and one in six would not recommend their house builder to a friend.
Only 190,000 new homes were built in last year, well short of the 300,000 many experts believe is required.
Blake said: “Councils need to be able to ensure quality through the planning system, and to encourage high standards in rented and owned properties across the board.
“To spark a desperately-needed renaissance in council housebuilding, councils also need to able to borrow to build new homes and keep all receipts from any homes they sell to reinvest in building new homes that are of a good quality and affordable.”
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said it was “vital” that the Government implements measures in the housing white paper aimed at removing barriers to small house builders immediately so more house could be built.
“Almost six months after the white paper was published, we’ve seen limited movement on a range of policies that if implemented, could start making a difference today,” he said.
“If we are to solve the housing crisis then we must increase the delivery of new housing but also maximise the lifetimes of our existing buildings. The Government could help encourage greater investment in our existing housing stock by reducing VAT from 20% to 5% to encourage more people to properly maintain their properties.”
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They should help new buyers build their own homes instead. You need home, get a plot of land and build your own house.