To set the scene for next month’s RESI Conference, @propertyweek and Savills’ head of residential research @LucianCook took to Twitter to debate some of the biggest issues facing the sector… in 140 characters or fewer.

RESI Twitter debate

Using the hashtag #RESIdebate, more than 40 industry figures posed their questions on a range of topics including stamp duty’s effect on the market, how we can accommodate our ageing population and the role of proptech.

The hour-long debate on 17 August clearly resonated with participants: it generated 1.7 million impressions across more than 100 tweets. Then again, there were some big questions to address, not least: is it possible for a housing market to work for everyone?

RESI Twitter debate tweets

Cook noted that the market has become increasingly challenging in recent decades as the wealth gap between generations has expanded. The wide-ranging debate went on to cover issues such as the sustainability of the private rented sector (PRS), the viability of modular construction and even whether robotics could be a part of the solution.

There was agreement that any fix to the housing crisis would need to be multi-faceted. “We need to address the shortfall in PRS supply and the need for more retirement housing, accepting the realities of mortgage regulation,” said Cook. “Housing associations will also have a significant part to play.”






Want to join the debate in person? Book your place for RESI 2017 now

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