The latest predictions from JLL UK suggest that investment volumes in the UK property market in 2018 will total around £55bn, with returns of 6.4 per cent. This is slightly down on the £60bn investment volumes and 10 per cent returns the firm now expects for 2017. 

The capital gains tax effect

The real estate firm has cited the impact of the removal of the capital gains tax exemption for overseas investors in UK commercial property as a temporary blow to the market, but predict that the new policy will not deter investors in the long term. JLL also predicts that the UK, and London in particular, is likely to be a key destination for Japanese and Korean capital.Jon Neale, Head of UK Research, JLL, said, “Undoubtedly there will be investors who are dissuaded by the capital gains tax changes, but the change only aligns the UK with most other developed countries. In spite of this, the major reasons for investing in UK property remain – liquidity, lot sizes, landlord-favourable leases, the strong economic and leasing fundamentals, and at present, relatively high yields and a weak currency.” “We also expect Korean investors to add weight to the broader push from Asia this year. While they have held back from adding to their UK exposure in the aftermath of the referendum, we expect a return in 2018, attracted by the market’s resilient performance and high pricing in other global markets.” 

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Investment volume predictions

JLL’s property predictions for 2018 also include the sustained and resilient performance of the industrial and logistics sector and a continuation of the boom in deals for flexible office providers as more corporates take space. While proptech will continue to transform the industry, JLL highlights digital construction as one area that could have more dramatic impacts over the next few years. Following a number of recent landmark deals, JLL forecasts that 2018 will see wider participation by institutions and pension funds in the alternative sectors.Appetite is being driven by a mix of long income opportunities linked to inflation, exposure to strong demographic trends and a number of sectors, which benefit from a structural supply and demand imbalance. There will be a rise of mixed-use alternatives as investors and operators will increasingly regard themselves as providers of living space and social infrastructure. The shortage of supply will result in established operators in one sector moving into a similar or complementary market.

Post-Brexit strategies

Finally, amid continued political uncertainty, 2018 will be the year in which many companies finally make decisions about their business strategies post-Brexit, according to JLL. Nevertheless, GDP growth looks set to be around 1.5 per cent in 2018, roughly in line with 2017 and well ahead of some of the more pessimistic forecasts produced at the time of the referendum.Mr Neale added, “A deal with the EU, even if it only covers transition, is likely to emerge towards the end of the year, but this means that this will be another year of Brexit uncertainty, with many in property still unable to make informed decisions. But in spite of this mood music, inflation will fall back, base rates will remain unchanged and employment growth will be solid, suggesting that the economy will grow at roughly the same rate as in 2016.”At its predictions event held at The Rosewood Hotel in London, JLL, surveyed nearly 400 guests asking what they expect returns in the UK property market to be in 2018.Approximately 60 per cent of respondents said 4-8 per cent; in line with JLL’s own 6.4 per cent prediction. Attendees were also asked what they expect their level of investment in business or property to be by 2021, with 46 per cent saying somewhat larger than levels seen today.To read JLL UK’s property predictions 2018 report, click here.

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Read more about the future of the UK business in the Winter issue of our magazine 

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