ATTACKS ON THE BUY-TO-LET MARKET!

Over the past 12 months there has been a deliberate effort by the Government to make buying properties to let less attractive.

First, there was the announcement that the Stamp Duty payable on second properties would be 3.0% more than that payable on residential properties. That is a very significant amount of money. Then there is the progressive reducing of tax advantages on the interest on mortgages on let properties – ultimately dropping from as much as 45% for Additional Rate Taxpayers down to a level of 20% for all. This effectively raises the costs for many landlords who are higher rate taxpayers.

There are further changes. In 2017 we will see the affordability calculations for Buy-To-Let mortgages significantly increased – the bottom line being that the amount of mortgage available based on the monthly rental, will go down from the levels they have been. This could make buying and remortgaging more difficult. Do contact us if you need any remortgage calculations. All in all the

Government may be shooting itself in the foot with these actions as the result could be a stagnant housing market with reduced levels of house building and sales.