Autumn Budget 2026: Agents hope for housing market help

Chancellor John Healey (pictured) will deliver his first Autumn Budget today, with agents and the wider property market hoping for a housing market boost.

Healey is expected to confirm plans for a new Your First Home housing scheme, but it is unclear if there will be any tax clampdowns that impact landlords.

Hopes for Stamp Duty cuts appear unlikely but Healey is reported to have ruled out major Capital Gains Tax changes.

Balancing act

Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, says: “As with all Budgets, the Chancellor must perform a delicate balancing act – raising revenue without compromising growth – especially difficult for Mr Healey this time while protracted uncertainties in other parts of the world are contributing more than usual to rising interest rates and inflation.”

He suggests there should be new Lifetime ISA house price limits and says the Government’s price caps for the Your First Home scheme should ensure the new arrangement is “viable for developers and wage limits are proportionate to local affordability for aspiring first-time buyers.”

Leaf adds: “Encouragement for downsizing wouldn’t go amiss either, as this helps to connect chains at the other end of the ladder by releasing ‘right-sized’ homes for those more in need of them.

“We also need to make better use of existing resources such as bringing empty homes back into use more quickly.”

On rentals too, he suggests carefully targeted additional incentives for landlords will encourage new entrants as well as helping existing investors to stay.

Restoring confidence

Tim Foreman, Managing Director of Land and New Homes at LRG, suggests targeted Stamp Duty thresholds or tapered relief for first time buyers should be considered, alongside measures that make downsizing easier and release homes through existing chains.

He adds: “Restoring confidence in flats is equally important. Building safety and ownership reforms need a clear, practical programme, backed by resources to resolve outstanding problems and support lender confidence. Buyers need reassurance about their future obligations and builders need a market in which new apartments can be financed and sold.

“The Budget should also review development taxes and policy costs together, including the Building Safety Levy. Each requirement may have a reasonable objective, but their combined effect must leave schemes viable.”

Meanwhile, estate agency trade body Propertymark says it would like to see the Government commit to a comprehensive review of property taxation, provide greater certainty for landlords and homeowners, and ensure housing policy supports investment, affordability and the supply of homes.

Energy-saving incentives

In addition, Propertymark is calling on the Government to restore and expand tax incentives for energy-saving improvements, including the Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance, and to consider VAT relief on eligible works.

Propertymark says: “The Autumn Budget is an opportunity for the UK Government to establish a more coherent approach to property taxation, rather than introduce further isolated changes without assessing their combined effects.”

“As the Government sets out its Budget plans, Propertymark wants to see a clear commitment to understanding what the existing system is delivering, where it is creating barriers and how it can be improved. A comprehensive review would be an important first step towards a healthier housing market and better outcomes for homeowners, landlords and tenants.”