13:47 PM, 30th October 2024, About 6 days ago 38
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In a move that could severely damage the private rented sector (PRS), the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the Budget that the stamp duty surcharge on additional homes will increase to 5% from tomorrow.
The rise from 3% will hit landlord profits – and likely undermine desperately needed landlord investment in the PRS – and lead to fewer homes for rent.
ARLA Propertymark president, Angharad Truman, said: “We continue to see a growing disparity in the number of private rented homes available against a backdrop of increasing demand from tenants.
“Therefore, it is disappointing to see that the UK Government did not address this fundamental issue in its Autumn Budget and instead has announced yet another blow for landlords by increasing Stamp Duty on second homes.”
However, fears that landlords selling rented homes would have to pay a much higher rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) have failed to materialise in Ms Reeves’ first Budget as Chancellor.
Critics had feared that the higher rate of CGT would rise to 40% – up from 24% currently.
However, Ms Reeves announced that the lower rate of CGT will rise from 10% to 18%, and the higher rate from 20% to 24%.
But in some good news for landlords, the rates on residential property will remain at 18% and 24%.
Also, Capital Gains Tax rates on carried interest will rise to 32% from April 2025.
The Budget aims to raise taxes by £40bn and Ms Reeves also revealed that the inheritance tax threshold will be frozen by another two years to 2030.
That means the first £325,000 of an estate can be inherited tax-free – which rises to £500,000 if the estate includes a residence passed to direct descendants.
The move will also see that figure increasing to £1m when a tax-free allowance is passed to a surviving spouse or civil partner.
From April 2026, the first £1m of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax.
For assets of more than £1m, inheritance tax will apply with 50% relief, at an effective rate of 20%.
The Chancellor confirmed a hike in employers’ national insurance from 13.8% to 15% – a ‘decision not taken lightly’.
However, the threshold has fallen to £5,000 – from £9,100.
That will hurt a lot of smaller business, critics warn, though Ms Reeves says the move will raise £25bn.
National Insurance, VAT and income tax ‘for working people’ have not been increased.
Other highlights from the Autumn Budget include:
GlanACC
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Sign Up17:23 PM, 31st October 2024, About 4 days ago
The 5% will pale into insignificance when next April comes and the SDLT return to its 'normal' amount
Peter Merrick
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Sign Up15:45 PM, 1st November 2024, About 4 days ago
Reply to the comment left by JamesB at 31/10/2024 - 16:53
If you increases taxes or any kind of cost, then it is inevitable that the money has to come from somwhere. Ultimately it will be the consumer, i.e. the tenant in this case.
Whiteskifreak Surrey
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Sign Up8:07 AM, 2nd November 2024, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by John Bentley at 30/10/2024 - 13:49
The increase in stamp duty is actually 40%, not 2%.
Raising rent for that figure might be problematic.
dismayed landlord
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Sign Up8:14 AM, 2nd November 2024, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 31/10/2024 - 07:39
Agreed and therefore as tenants cannot afford to pay enough rent to make a decent return sell. I have just exchanged on my 16 sale. 1 I sold to tenants in situ for the same as I would have achieved as a vacant. 2 went to BTL for sure. A third one I am unsure of - initially it was to be their home but I am told it’s let now. People’s circs change. The others to 1st and 2nd time buyers.
That’s 12 out of 16 sales removed from the PRS
Just as well labour are going to build lots to replace these and no doubt others sales!
dismayed landlord
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Sign Up8:16 AM, 2nd November 2024, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Jo Westlake at 30/10/2024 - 15:51
I have done. It is a risk but it breaks the chains and if it’s want you want then it’s worth it!
dismayed landlord
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Sign Up8:19 AM, 2nd November 2024, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by JamesB at 30/10/2024 - 23:28
Bang on the money - totally get where you’re coming from.
GlanACC
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Sign Up8:19 AM, 2nd November 2024, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by dismayed landlord at 02/11/2024 - 08:16
Chains are already breaking. I do work for a large estate agency and so far they have had 5 chains break solely due to the extra 2% . 5 might not seem a lot but that's probably in excess of 15 properties affected.
Lisa008
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Sign Up9:33 AM, 2nd November 2024, About 3 days ago
I think that its a good thing that first time buyers have a chance to purchase at a slightly reduced rate to those who are buying a second home or 20th house... 5% is a lot... (considering when I started, it didn't exist at all)... but the market will adjust... what I expect to see going forward is that 'landlording' is going to be for those with deep pockets... they don't want dabblers or 'the little guy' in this market.