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Housing starts predicted to reach 155,000 in 2015 |
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New housing starts in England will rise around 10% to 155,000 in 2015 and house prices will increase by 3%, according to the RICS annual housing market forecast.
The survey says prices will be bolstered by recent Stamp Duty changes, continuing demand and a lack of property supply, though average prices are not expected to change in London next year, evidenced by the capital experiencing a "pausing for breath" towards the end of 2014.
The northwest, southeast, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside are predicted to see the biggest price growth at an average of 5%, with growth set to be slower in Wales and the southwest at around 2%.
The report says the lack of housing supply cannot be addressed fast enough. But it is witnessing increasing levels of housebuilding projects underway.
The 155,000 starts projected by the RICS in 2015 (England) compares with 125,000 starts in 2013 and 98,280 in 2012. Figures for 2014 are not yet available but the RICS expects an outturn of around 140,000.
"The political ambition to meet the UK's housing deficit of 240,000 means that debates around planning, development and delivery will monopolise the pre-election period in the run-up to May 2015," said Jeremy Blackburn, RICS head of UK Policy.
"We've seen four housing ministers in this parliament and there is no reason to think that housing won't continue to be a political football in the next."
- NHBC says new UK home registrations in September to October last year hit 37,222, up from 34,356 in the same period in 2013.
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