Property Leaders Roundtable with Douglas Haig

19th August 2020

Property leaders round table: Housing and communities

Demand for homes could change as people alter the way they live and work following Covid-19, a virtual round table was set up by ‘Wales Business Insider’, which brought together property professionals including house-builders and housing providers.

How will demand for housing change as Wales emerges from Lockdown?

The general consensus is that demand for properties with outdoor space, apartments with balconies, houses with a lot of housing space, or living spaces near green spaces and parks. There is the potential attraction for those living in London to relocate to Cardiff which has more of a rural feel. People can now work remotely, so are reconsidering their housing choices. It appears that all areas of the housing market are increasing in activity, however, we also need to be prepared for a second wave.

Our Director, Douglas Haig, comments “There is going to have to be a wider range of measures to make sure that housebuilding markets and development markets can continue”.

How are communities likely to change?

Communities will most likely change due to the working-from-home lifestyle, this may develop into community business hubs, where people can rent spaces. In addition, it is predicted that shopping centres and commercial premises on the High Street will suffer. Redevelopments will be housing-led and we may see an increase in build-to-rent schemes.

Douglas Haig adds,” There will be a fundamental change in some peoples approach to getting on the housing ladder”

How are housing business models changing?

There will be continued mixed tenure developments and blended communities. In addition, housebuilders and developers are relying on virtual tours, to help sell houses online.

Douglas Haig says, “The shift to virtual tours is interesting, but I think we’re also in for a wave of ombudsman claims.” 

Do we have the right policy environment for housing?

Boris Johnson’s, ‘Build, build, build’ is certainly a way of cutting red tape and hopefully planning applications will be increasing by around 20%. There are different approached to planning in both England and Wales, which has caused some problems, with the feeling that the Welsh Government has been less flexible and less willing to work with the industry to come up with solutions.

If you are looking for a property agent who is involved in these types of discussions, providing detailed insight into the current climate and how this affects the property industry, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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