Landlords will be offered CGT exemption by Conservatives

Landlords will be offered CGT exemption by Conservatives

9:41 AM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago 21

Text Size

The Conservative Party’s manifesto will be published today with a pledge to eliminate capital gains tax (CGT) for landlords, the Daily Telegraph reports.

However, the exemption will only be for those landlords who sell their property to a sitting tenant.

The initiative will run for two years with the aim of boosting the housing market and helping renters achieve homeownership.

The new rule would not apply to someone’s primary residence, which is already exempted from capital gains tax.

It’s also worth noting that the big catch is that landlords can’t use the exemption if selling to a tenant who began renting after today (10 June).

‘Difficult decisions because of Covid’

The Telegraph reports that the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, will say: “We Conservatives have had to take difficult decisions because of Covid.

“But we are now cutting taxes for earners, parents and pensioners.

“We are the party of Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson, a party, unlike Labour, that believes in sound money.

“In this party, we believe that it is morally right that those who can work do work, and that hard work is rewarded with people being able to keep more of their own money.”

Not many landlords will benefit

The move will cost around £20 million which means that not many landlords will benefit, and the average investor will save around £21,000 in CGT.

The policy is part of a broader scheme to help reduce the housing crisis and lower the tax burden.

However, the newspaper reports that no one knows how many landlords will take advantage.

Mr Sunak will also promise to help 27 million households with a tax cut if re-elected by reducing the employee National Insurance again – by 6%.

There’s also the return of the Help to Buy scheme and first-time buyers won’t have to pay stamp duty on properties worth less than £425,000.

Reduce how much landlords pay in tax when investing

Propertymark chief executive, Nathan Emerson, said: “Propertymark welcomes the concept of tax breaks, and we would like to see more support for homeowners.

“However, if the Conservatives are serious about supporting the private rental sector to grow, then they need to reverse the changes to mortgage interest relief and reduce the amount landlords pay when purchasing a buy to let property.”


Share This Article


Comments

GlanACC

11:01 AM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by AccidentalLandlord2024 at 11/06/2024 - 10:58
Yes, but you would actually have to live in the property (means changing bank accounts and all sorts of stuff) AND you would have to pay a fair rent. Good idea but not really worth the hassle - and I am sure the loophole would be closed.

AccidentalLandlord2024

11:18 AM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 11/06/2024 - 11:01
Obviously, the Tory haven't thought through the details but it certainly did not say occupying that as a main home or at market rents - that is just too much details for them.

But they did say, per article above:

"big catch is that landlords can’t use the exemption if selling to a tenant who began renting after today (10 June)."

So, I suppose it is possible for Landlord A to sell to Landlord A's tenant XA, financed by Landlord B, who will buy that off XA after that (or sell it back to A).

The property industry is extremely creative.

Cider Drinker

11:43 AM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Labour are going to build 1.5 million new homes in the first 5 years. I’m not sure where the builders will come from, never mind the materials.

It’s likely that some of the builders will be retraining to deliver 100,000 urgent dental appointments to children.

Control migration and there’d be sufficient homes and sufficient dentists. Of course, Labour won’t set a target for net migration.

Leicester Landlord

12:32 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Does this mean I can transfer my buy to lets in personal name into a company without paying CGT? After all, I will be selling with tenants in situ.

havens havens

13:28 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

ChatGPT
The Conservatives' plan to eliminate CGT for landlords selling to sitting tenants is a positive move to help renters buy homes. However, they should consider extending the exemption period and including new tenants. Reversing changes to mortgage interest relief and reducing buy-to-let taxes could also better support the rental sector.

GlanACC

13:56 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by AccidentalLandlord2024 at 11/06/2024 - 11:18
Whilst the property industry is extremely creative, this is matched by HMRCs powers to investigate and 'interpret the rules as they see fit'

Crouchender

16:32 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Not the best incentive but as we ALL know Labour will be in power shortly.

Expect WEALTH/ASSET TAXES...

NI on rental income
Removal of 20% tax credit
CGT to 50% at least carved out for property only of course.

ALL under the guise of HOUSING EMERGENCY BUDGET!!

Remember they can easily do the above as it outside the 'narrative' they have been saying...
i.e No increase in taxes for WORKING people with paid jobs so no promises broken

GlanACC

16:38 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Crouchender at 11/06/2024 - 16:32
If that comes to pass then for those of us who have no mortgage it will be sensible to leave the property empty (yes council tax will have to be paid)

Crouchender

16:41 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 11/06/2024 - 16:38
Yes for at least 5 years as I hoping the Labour lot will mess up big time and be in for only one term

Martin Roberts

21:05 PM, 11th June 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Promises and 'bold action'.

We'll see.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now