The time for talking is over - we need to get on and build more homes, says property expert Jonathan Rolande

There was little in the King’s Speech that would have surprised estate agents, landlords or property developers. We knew much of what was coming.

But, nevertheless, the King did outline a wide range of things that will now have a direct and potentially profound impact on our industry.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill could help unlock housing and stimulate growth. But there’s a problem - the mainstream media, in particular, like to parrot the narrative that Britain’s housing crisis is linked to NIMBYs and planning applications getting rejected.

In reality, the majority of applications for major building projects are now being approved. And the powers of local authorities to prevent projects from going ahead is reducing - not growing.

The real and under-reported issue is the fact that housebuilders aren’t building enough properties. The reasons for that are multiple and complex.

Do some building firms want to keep house prices as high as possible? Maybe.

Do some lack the confidence to commit to major projects? Definitely. Do we need a more focused approach on how we will encourage these firms to start building? Absolutely.

Unless or until this is properly addressed we have no chance of fixing our broken housing system.

Labour also announced expected reforms to the leasehold system, including enacting remaining Law Commission recommendations which relate to leasehold enfranchisement and the Right to Manage.

This will seek to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents. Ministers also hope to try and remove what they describe as a 'disproportionate and draconian' threat of forfeiture.

They will take steps to reinvigorate common holds too through a comprehensive new framework. This aims to ban the sale of new leasehold flats so that commonhold becomes the default tenure.

In addition, the Government will implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 so that leaseholders can benefit from more rights, power and protections over their homes.

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The Government insists the bill will give tenants much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.

One part of the Bill I was pleased to see was the application of ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector, setting clear legal expectations about the time frames within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. This is an important and landmark step for which the Government should only be applauded.

The Bill also includes provisions for a ‘right to buy’ for community assets, that will enable local councils to acquire empty shops, pubs and community spaces to revamp struggling high streets.

That looks and sounds great on paper to me. But the devil, as ever, is in the details. Time to deliver and get on with the job.

Jonathan Rolande is the founder of House Buy Fast. To read more of his insights visit: www.housebuyfast.co.uk