The move, confirmed by cabinet secretary for housing and local government Jayne Bryant MS, follows sustained calls from stakeholders for updated, high-quality data to support housing policy across Wales.

In a written statement issued on 9 May 2025, Ms Bryant confirmed approval of the business case for the survey, which will be broader in scope than the last housing conditions survey and comparable in design to the English Housing Survey. It will consist of two main elements: a detailed social survey to collect household-level information, including data required for fuel poverty analysis, and a physical home inspection carried out by a qualified surveyor to assess the condition and energy efficiency of homes.

“This approach will provide a wider breadth of evidence to more effectively inform policy development and implementation,” said Ms Bryant. “It will support work on key areas including fuel poverty, energy performance, housing quality across all tenures, affordable housing, second homes and homelessness.”

While administrative datasets like Energy Performance Certificates and Council Tax records are increasingly used in housing analysis, the Welsh Government concluded they do not fully meet the country’s evidence needs—hence the decision to proceed with a new field-based survey.

Procurement for the project is expected to begin by the end of the 2025-26 financial year, with fieldwork taking place during 2027-28. Headline results are anticipated in 2028-29, with more detailed findings to follow in 2029-30.

Industry body Propertymark welcomed the announcement, having long advocated for a survey modelled on the English equivalent. The organisation had included the proposal in its 2021 Welsh Parliament Elections manifesto and has consistently raised the issue in committee inquiries and policy discussions.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “It is positive news that the Welsh Government has listened to Propertymark and others and will commission a Welsh Housing Survey, as accurate data, statistics, and evidence are vital for good policymaking. This is something we have long called for.

“Housing plays a vital role in people’s lives, and the actions of agents, landlords, tenants, buyers, and sellers must be properly understood to inform smart, effective decisions for Wales.”