I have summarised as best as I can the main promises coming out of the manifestos, please download to see the full summary. Having looked at the manifestos, here’s my thoughts on who is doing what:
Tenants
This is probably one of the strongest political promises tenants have ever received. The Conservatives have already scrapped housing support for many 18-21 year olds. They have introduced the much-criticised Bedroom Tax and have put caps on Local Housing Allowance that in some cases mean tenants cannot afford to continue to live in the Private Rented Sector in the area they do currently.
In summary, most of the other parties will reverse these measures.
Other policies that are supported by all parties are:
The Green Party are recommending rent controls and a “renters’ union” while Lib Dems want to give tenants first refusal to buy the home they are renting from a landlord and to introduce a new Help to Rent scheme to provide government-backed tenancy deposit loans for all first-time renters under 30.
Are you a tenant? Make sure you are renting properly with our how to rent guide.
Right to Buy
This is pretty much a Conservative-only supported policy; in the main, the other parties plan to end Right to Buy, or at least give councils the choice of whether to offer the scheme or not.
For more on what the parties are offering - download our comprehensive manifesto summary.
First-time buyers
All parties support Help to Buy, but some go further, including the Lib Dems who are offering a new Rent to Own model where rent payments give tenants an increasing stake in the property, with the aim of owning outright in 30 years.
Meanwhile the Conservatives are offering new build fixed-term social housing which will be sold privately after 10-15 years through automatic Right to Buy.
The Green Party intend to help FTBs through house price stability via axing BTL tax breaks and encouraging community-led affordable homes projects.
If you are looking to buy for the first time don't forget to download our first-time buyer eBook for free.
Social tenants
Overall Labour are offering the most affordable homes with 500,000 planned (100,000 each year), similar to the Green Party.
Meanwhile Conservatives are looking at 225,000 of the million homes they plan to be ‘affordable’, based on their own definition.
Homelessness
Most parties are now aiming to end homelessness, Labour in the next Parliament, Conservatives halving by 2027.
Landlords
Nothing to see here! Although that’s not completely true. The Green Party are clearly looking at making more cuts to BTL profits, while the Conservatives have, surprisingly, caused the most damage to landlords so far.
Perhaps surprisingly, Labour have the only pro-landlord policy, which includes improving on existing Landlord Energy Efficiency regulations and re-establising the Landlord Energy Savings Allowance.
If you are a landlord remember to check out our online TV series - The Buy to Let Show and download the eBooks too!
The Lib Dems are looking to levy up to 200% council tax on second homes and homes left empty by overseas investors, and also to reverse the Capital Gains Tax cuts made by the Conservatives in the last budget.
For more on what the parties are offering - download our comprehensive manifesto summary.
