Posts with tag: Buy-to-Let

Pre SDLT change applications welcome at LendInvest

Published On: March 1, 2016 at 12:44 pm

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Applications for loans to finance purchases that could assist in completing transactions before the 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are still being accepted at LendInvest. The borrower said applications before 1st April increases are still being considered.

Time

Matt Tooth, Head of distribution at LendInvest, noted, ‘borrowers should never let tax regime changes drive investment decisions. However, for people with property purchases in the pipeline already, our ability to review new applications for several more weeks means it may not be too late for them to avoid the stamp duty hike.’[1]

‘At LendInvest, we never applied a strict deadline for applications like many other lenders had to, because we handle each and every deal on a case-by-case basis and can apply our in-house technology to streamline and accelerate the underwriting process,’ he continued.[1]

Pre SDLT change applications welcome at LendInvest

Pre SDLT change applications welcome at LendInvest

Speedy

Would-be investors will be pleased with LendInvest’s pledge to deal with applications quickly. Tooth notes that, ‘bridging deals always vary in length depending on the capacity of all parties appointed to work on them. Solicitors and valuers are extremely busy right now with existing cases but LendInvest will do everything we can to make sure that our borrowers complete their purchases before the window closes.’[1]

‘LendInvest proved it is capable of moving fast when we completed our fastest ever loan in just three days earlier this month. Our focus on speed will never come at the expense of rigorous credit and risk controls and we will always maintain the highest underwriting standards. We will never automate the decision-making process; instead there’s a lot we can do to automate the administration, creating a better experience for borrowers and brokers alike,’ Tooth concluded.[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/finance/new-applications-still-accepted-at-lendinvest-ahead-of-stamp-duty-hike.html

Buy-to-let tax changes criticised by Savills

Published On: March 1, 2016 at 10:28 am

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Savills has become the latest high-profile organisation to slam the upcoming buy-to-let tax changes. The firm believe that not a single alteration in legislation will assist first-time buyers get on to the ladder, as desired by Chancellor George Osborne.

Wrong tactics

Lucian Cooks, Savills’ director of residential research, noted that, ‘none of the measures aimed at buy-to-let investors will directly help the prospective first-time buyer overcome the underlying deposit hurdle. Neither will Government schemes eliminate this issue for the bulk of younger households. Therefore, the underlying demand for private rented accommodation is likely to continue to rise.’[1]

Undoubtedly, the changes to the private rental sector will cause a comprehensive shift in investment patterns.

‘For those (investors) requiring debt, we believe these measures will mean that future investment will be more targeted at lower-value higher-yielding stock, albeit avoiding markets heavily reliant on welfare payments, given the Government’s ongoing austerity agenda,’ Cooks continued.[1]

Buy-to-let tax changes criticised by Savills

Buy-to-let tax changes criticised by Savills

Mortgages

Utilising data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Cooks suggests that just 31% of available stock in the private rented sector comes with a mortgage. This indicates that the mortgage interest problem could be lesser than some analysts believe.

With this said, the proposal is sure to affect cash surpluses landlords are able to achieve. Cooks observed, ‘our calculations indicate the net cash surplus on the average buy-to-let property will fall from £2,900 to £1,100 over this period.’[1]

‘This assumes a property worth £227,400 with a mortgage of £119,700 and generating a gross income yield of 5%. Those with greater levels of debt or invested in lower yielding markets will be more affected, he concluded.[1]

[1] https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/2/current-buy-to-let-changes-wont-directly-help-first-time-buyers-savills-warns

 

Brexit referendum increasing market uncertainty

Published On: February 29, 2016 at 11:38 am

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Categories: Property News

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The upcoming Brexit referendum is fuelling existing housing market uncertainty, according to concerning new research.

Hometrack’s UK Cities House Price Index suggests there has already been a 2% drop in sales in major British cities.

Worrying

Forthcoming changes in stamp duty land tax and alterations to landlords’ tax relief are already contributing to buyer uncertainty. The upcoming vote is likely to drive worries still further.

According to the Index, city level house price values were still up by 10.2% in the year, in comparison to the 8.6% rise recorded one year previously.

On average, UK city house values stand at £231,700. Typical values range from just £109,000 in Glasgow to £455,000 in London.

However, transactions in what were former hotspots dropped significantly, with prices down by 7% in London and by 20% in Cambridge.

Impact

The UK Cities House Price Index suggests that the Brexit vote will further impact on future volumes.

Unfortunately, the referendum falls at the same time when changes in stamp duty are expected to hit investors in the pocket. After making up one in five transactions during 2015, the impact of the alterations is yet to be seen, but the report questioned further house price growth, with volumes invariably slowing.

Annual rate of growth in cities across the South of England is already starting to slow, with sales down and affordability pressures growing.

Brexit referendum increasing market uncertainty

Brexit referendum increasing market uncertainty

Lower turnover

Richard Donnell, insight director at Hometrack, noted, ‘slower growth in sales volumes has been a trend seen over the last three years across high-value, high-growth cities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Aberdeen and London, where house prices have been rising for six consecutive years.’[1]

‘High housing and moving costs are limiting access to the market for a growing number of households which, in our view, will result in lower turnover and slower house price growth. A vote to remain in the EU should see a return to business as usual whereas a vote to leave will create additional uncertainty,’ he added.[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/2/brexit-adds-to-housing-market-uncertainty

1/4 of would-be BTL investors put off by tax changes

Published On: February 27, 2016 at 11:15 am

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Nearly one quarter of would-be BTL investors have been deterred by the forthcoming 3% additional stamp duty hike and reduction in tax relief.

Research from online investment platform rplan.co.uk revealed that 9% of UK adults have abandoned plans to own at BTL property because of the upcoming alterations. 30% said that they were still insure about their plans.

14% of existing landlords admitted that they will now sell one or more of their homes because of the new rules.

Stamp Duty surcharge

Under the upcoming changes, stamp duty on buying a £250,000 BTL property will increase from £2,500 to £10,000 in April. For a property worth £400,000, property will more than double from £10,000 to £22,000.

The survey reveals that those looking to invest in BLT were going to utilise their savings worth an average of £43,592 to purchase a home. Now, 39% of adults will use the money to save in a cash account. 30% said they would invest in an ISA, while 20% will put it into their pension. 13% stated that they would look at other stock market investments.

1/4 of would-be BTL investors put off by tax changes

1/4 of would-be BTL investors put off by tax changes

Late rush

Stuart Dyer, CIO at rplan.co.uk, said, ‘the British have strong faith in property as an investment and many see it as a means of providing a pension income. But the government clearly has a policy to dis-incentivise BTL and the sharp increase in landlord mortgages revealed by the Bank of England credit survey will probably be a last rush before the gate slams shut.’[1]

‘Having a BTL property can also mean an over-exposure to one asset class for many investors, who should strongly consider the alternative of investing in a diversified portfolio for the long term, especially if this can be achieved through a tax-free ISA wrapper,’ Dyer added.[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/one-in-four-discouraged-from-btl-by-government-plans.html

 

Take the Leap into the Property Market This February!

Published On: February 27, 2016 at 9:03 am

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Whether you’re a buy-to-let investor, first time buyer or home mover, 2016 is the year to take the leap into the property market.

Take the Leap This February!

Take the Leap into the Property Market This February!

As we know, we have an extra day this year and the 29th February only occurs every four years. At the height of the property boom, which fuelled the housing crash, this is how frequently many people moved house.

In recent years, buyers and vendors have been more restrained when moving home. The reasons people move have been for more serious and necessary reasons, such as a new job, a baby on the way, debt or divorce.

Due to the need to move quickly, asking prices have also been set at much more realistic values – sellers aren’t just willing to sit in their property hoping that someone buys their property for the hugely inflated figure their estate agent suggested anymore.

With the recession finally behind us, people are considering moving again, and recent data proves that first time buyers are finally being given the chance to get onto the property ladder.

With interest rates remaining low and the economy strengthening, why not make spring the time to move home?

With a shortage of supply and high demand from buyers, it is likely that your home will sell quickly – but ensure you have somewhere to move to first! You may be in luck, however, as many sellers are likely to put their properties onto the market as the good weather arrives.

And if you’re a buy-to-let investor, now is the perfect time to invest. As of April, landlords will face a higher rate of Stamp Duty (3% extra) on the purchase of an investment property. To avoid this surcharge, you must complete on a sale before midnight on 31st March – don’t miss out, the additional costs may crush your buy-to-let dream.

If you’re not quite ready to take the leap into the property market, don’t wait another four years – you don’t know how many opportunities you might miss before 2020…

Bolton landlord fined after fatal fire

Published On: February 26, 2016 at 12:56 pm

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A landlord from Bolton has been fined £1,500 after a fatal fire in one of his rental properties.

Andrew Turnstall was given the hefty fine following the blaze which tragically killed a 49 year-old father of two.

Breaches

Following the fire, inspectors and the local council went to the property and found there had been a number of fire safety breaches.

The smoke alarm had been switched off by a previous tenant, in order for them to be able to smoke in the property without incident. During the investigation, the court heard that there was no suggestion that Turnstall had turned the alarm off himself.

Mr Turnstall did however admit to not servicing a fire extinguisher and having no fire blanket in the property.

Bolton landlord fined after fatal fire

Bolton landlord fined after fatal fire

Contraventions

Catherine Waudby, prosecuting for Bolton Council, said, ‘during the inspection a number of contravention of the regulations were noted in both the common parts and the flats.’[1]

‘Whilst it is appreciated that some of these will have been caused by tenants or visitors, the number of issues identified at the property, particularly those relating to fire safety, clearly suggests that the level of management was not to a satisfactory standard and had resulted in a number of contraventions,’ Waudby added.[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/2/lancashire-landlord-fined-after-fatal-blaze