Estate agents lose faith in Labour’s housing strategy as calls grow for urgent buyer support

The UK’s estate agents have voiced growing frustration over Labour’s handling of the housing market, with new research from GetAgent.co.uk revealing that fewer than one in five property professionals believe the Government’s housebuilding plans will ease the affordability crisis.

Industry sees lack of short-term support for buyers
In a survey of agents conducted by GetAgent, only 7% described the Government’s efforts to manage the property market since October 2024 as “positive”. The majority – 40% – labelled the current approach “disappointing”, while a further 23% called it “underwhelming”.

These opinions come in the wake of Labour’s failure to extend stamp duty relief in both the Autumn and Spring Statements, despite widespread calls from property professionals for help with upfront purchase costs. As it stands, no new support measures – such as Help to Buy or reduced levies for first-time buyers – have been reintroduced.

A staggering 72% of agents surveyed believe the current Government has “ignored homebuyers” during a period of heightened financial stress, with average mortgage rates still above 4% and house prices remaining stubbornly high in many parts of the country.

Ambitious housing targets viewed with scepticism
Labour’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2030 may sound bold on paper, but just 17% of estate agents polled believe it will make a meaningful dent in housing affordability.

Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent, said: “Our current Government’s pledge to build more homes is an admirable one, but it’s a promise that we’ve seen time and time again – and one that has never been fulfilled by hitting housing delivery targets.”

He added: “It’s understandable that the property industry is not only sceptical about the Government’s ambitions to build 1.5 million new homes by 2030, but would also like to see more done in the short term to stimulate the market and tackle the issue of affordability.”

Pressure mounts for practical fiscal action
The call for a “short-term fix” has grown louder, with 66% of estate agents saying the Government must urgently reintroduce measures like Help to Buy. These kinds of schemes were instrumental in supporting both developers and investors during previous downturns – not to mention thousands of first-time buyers who would otherwise remain stuck in rental accommodation.

In contrast, Labour’s Spring Statement provided little relief for either end of the housing spectrum. For landlords, many of whom have faced increased regulation, tighter margins, and higher stamp duty surcharges, the lack of targeted policy has been equally glaring.

Without decisive fiscal stimulus, industry insiders fear that market stagnation could deepen throughout 2025, as affordability constraints and buyer hesitation weigh down transaction volumes.

A missed opportunity – or just the beginning?
While longer-term reforms may still be on the cards, property professionals argue that the Government is running out of time to win back trust – not just from the industry, but from millions of would-be homeowners.

From a landlord’s perspective, this may create both risk and opportunity. On one hand, constrained supply and sluggish sales can fuel continued demand for rental homes. On the other, if market confidence continues to erode, developers and investors may think twice before committing to new projects.

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