A Brexit would have a negative impact on property investment, according to 65% of the property industry, a new survey by Carter Jonas has found.
The survey found that a referendum vote to leave the European Union would pose a serious challenge for the UK property market.
However, only 10% of those surveyed said they would consider relocating their business to another EU country in the event of a vote to leave.
Darren Yates, head of research at Carter Jonas, said the impact of a vote to leave the EU would depend ultimately on the nature of the new UK-EU relationship.
But he said there would initially be questions about the degree of market access to the EU for UK manufacturers, financial services firms and the farming industry.
Around one-fifth of those polled said they believed Brexit would have no impact on investment, while just 13% said it would have a positive impact.
Mark Granger, chief executive of Carter Jonas, said: “Regardless of the ‘in or out’ debate, people in the property industry want certainty.
“As we saw before the referendum on Scottish independence, many occupiers and investors delayed their decision-making.
“We expect a similar ‘wait-and-see’ approach as the EU referendum draws near, which could impact on sentiment and activity.”
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