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Introduction
According to the latest SME Developer Sentiment Survey for March 2026 from the Home Builders Federation, there is a cautiously optimistic view amongst UK SME housing developers with a +12% increase in respondents stating they expect to increase the number of new housing build starts they plan to work on over the next 3 months.
In terms of land purchasing activity, there was an increase of +5% (up to 32%) of respondents who plan to increase the amount of land purchasing levels over the next 3 months, with 41% expecting activity to stay level and 27% expecting to reduce land acquisition.
However, a number of SME home builders stated that current market conditions in the UK are causing constraints to overall housing stock delivery:
i) 70% of respondents stated that current conditions are limiting their willingness to risk starting on new sites
ii) 24% aired significant caution and were planning to delay their starts on new sites
iii) 46% expressed a moderate caution and were monitoring the ongoing conditions in the housing market
There are currently a number of both demand and supplier side issues that are limiting new housing delivery in the UK.
The top demand-side constraints are:
i) Low buyer confidence
ii) Overall housing market conditions
iii) Affordability pressures
The top supply-side constraints are:
i) Planning process delays
ii) Site viability pressures
iii) Cost and availability of land
Businesses, property developers and landlords looking to build, improve and renovate commercial and housing properties can seek grants and loans from local authorities to help with eligible costs. Council funding priorities permit funds being allocated first for improving empty homes so they can be brought back into use, home improvement activity to improve living standards for existing tenants and conversion grants to change unused commercial premises into new housing dwellings.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Property Development Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Transforming Towns Programme – Town Centre Upper Floor Residential Units in Town Centres
Bridgend County Borough Council is running a scheme for freeholders/property owners, sole traders and businesses to access funding to convert vacant floor-space on upper floors into new residential accommodation. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Conversion Grant
Cheshire West and Chester Council is providing grants to property owners for conversion projects on empty homes and premises to provide new units of private rented residential accommodation. Funding up to £75,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Empty Properties Funding
Dumfries and Galloway Council is providing a scheme for private landlords to access funding towards the cost of works required to bring their empty residential properties back into use. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Partnership Grants
Charnwood District Council is providing grants for the owners of residential empty properties to repair and improve their properties in return for making them available for rent. The scheme provides 50% match funding for eligible repairs. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Repair to Lease Grant
Harrow Council is providing grants for landlords to help them repair their residential properties and lease them to tenants. Eligible costs include renewing a defective kitchen or bathroom, renewing or repairing a hot water system, rewiring, damp proofing, renewal of defective/damaged roofs, repairing or renewing rotted windows and doors, works to remedy category tripping hazards and excess cold. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Grants for Private Landlords – Standard Properties and Houses in Multiple Occupation
Lewisham Council is providing grants for private landlords to improve their residential properties to make them fit for occupation. Funding of up to 50% of the eligible cost of the works to a maximum of £4,000 is available for self-contained properties and up to 50% of the cost of eligible works to a maximum of £8,000 is available for licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Refurbishment Grant
Brent Council is providing grants for the owners of empty residential properties to repair and refurbish their properties, or converting commercial premises into homes. Funding up to £6,500 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Warmth and Security Grant
Hackney Council is providing grants for landlords and owner-occupiers to improve the security and energy efficiency of their homes. Funding up to £6,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Property Development Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.