Average new build will have to last 2,000 years, LGA warns

The average new home in England will have to last 2,000 years if the slow rate of house building and replacement continues, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

The country spends nearly as much money on the repair and maintenance of existing homes than it does on building new ones, since it has not built enough homes for decades and existing homes must house more people and last for much longer.

But new analysis by the LGA has revealed that one in 10 new home buyers are dissatisfied with the quality of their new home and one in six would not recommend their house builder to a friend.

The research also reveals most local areas have more homes built before 1930 than from any other period, demonstrating the age of most of England’s housing stock.

The LGA is calling on government to help councils build a new generation of high quality, affordable homes, supported by adequate infrastructure and services.

House builders also need to work with councils to ensure new homes are built to a good standard and will stand the test of time.

With growing numbers of people in the private rented sector, council leaders are also worried that 28 per cent of privately rented homes are not decent - a 150,000 increase since 2006. In comparison, council homes are more likely to be better quality, with 85 per cent meeting the decent homes standard - an increase from 70 per cent in 2008.

LGA insists a ‘national renaissance’ in council house building must be kept o solving the housing shortage and improving quality.

For this to happen, the LGA says, councils need to be able to borrow to build and to keep 100 per cent of the receipts of any home they sell to reinvest in new and existing housing.

Judith Blake, a spokesperson for LGA housing, said: “Our country’s failure to build enough homes over the past few decades is putting huge pressure on our existing housing stock.

“Families are having to spend more on rent or mortgages every month and deserve a decent home that is affordable. But as costs are rising, so is dissatisfaction with the standards of new homes.

“Everyone deserves an affordable and decent place to live. It’s crucial that all new and existing homes are up to a decent standard.

“Councils need to be able to ensure quality through the planning system, and to encourage high standards in rented and owned properties across the board.

“To spark a desperately-needed renaissance in council housebuilding, councils also need to able to borrow to build new homes and keep all receipts from any homes they sell to reinvest in building new homes that are of a good quality and affordable.”