Most portfolio landlords aren’t worried about the next government

Most portfolio landlords aren’t worried about the next government

0:04 AM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago 18

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UK landlords say they aren’t worried about the potential political change of government next month, and most will keep hold of their buy to let portfolios, research reveals.

The findings from Zero Deposit show that despite various legislative changes under the Conservative government, 82% of landlords have kept their buy to let portfolio unchanged.

Some of those changes include mortgage tax relief alterations and higher stamp duty on additional homes.

Also, the controversial Renters (Reform) Bill, which included the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, now hangs in limbo due to the upcoming General Election.

It might return under the Tories and Labour says it will revisit the Bill – researchers found that only 27% of landlords believe the bill will be scrapped.

Conservatives may have been the party of choice

The firm’s chief executive, Sam Reynolds, said: “Traditionally, the Conservatives may have been viewed as the party of choice for landlords, but we’ve seen a string of legislative changes in recent years that may suggest otherwise.

“Despite a squeeze on profitability, the majority of landlords have chosen to maintain the size of their portfolio and given the challenges already faced, it’s hardly surprising that they remain largely unfazed by a potential change of political party at the forthcoming election.”

He added: “The election itself has inadvertently shelved the implementation of the most significant rental sector changes in many years and while it remains to be seen just what will come of the Renters (Reform) Bill, most landlords will be understandably lacking confidence that either party will drive any real improvement in the sector.”

Landlords have been adding to their portfolios

While 6% of landlords have been adding to their portfolios, most landlords say they aren’t fazed about which party takes power.

If Labour wins, 78% intend to retain their portfolio’s current size.

And 19% say they would consider downsizing under Labour — twice the number who would do so under Conservative rule.

Of Labour’s policies for the private rented sector (PRS), landlords said the abolition of Section 21 was their biggest concern.

The automatic right for tenants to own pets and obligatory EPC improvements were also unpopular.

As were four month notice periods for the top five unpopular Labour ideas for landlords in the PRS.


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Comments

Trapped Landlord

19:48 PM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by havens havens at 19/06/2024 - 18:07
For the most part , I had been feeling relatively unbothered about everything the tories have come with over the last few years. Most of my stock is held within a company so Section 24 didn't affect us, section 21 withdrawal never concerned me as I'll just use Section 8. Enormous demand and rising rents have far outweighed the changes they have bought. But ! I read today that Starmer has some plans of his own that haven't officially been released in that Labour plan to charge national insurance on unearned income ( rents) , a raid on agricultural land relief for inheritance tax purposes, council tax reforms whereby bills can potentially double or even treble. Raising capital gains yet again. There was also talk of wealth taxes being brought in. Got to say I'm feeling a bit more nervous about things now.

Peter Merrick

23:03 PM, 19th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Trapped Landlord at 19/06/2024 - 19:48
If the incoming government proves to be as hostile to landlords as expected, then those left in the game will simply prioritise protecting themselves and their business - first and foremost, by putting up rents and restricting their clients to those who are deemed to be safe enough and reliable enough to be trusted to look after their property. A well-paid full time job, guarantors, rent in advance, and who you know, will become ever more crucial in securing a place to live.
God help the tenants, who will be the real collateral damage in all of this!

Dylan Morris

10:56 AM, 20th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

There’s hell of a lot to worry about. The major one for me is lack of court reforms meaning you’ll be waiting five years or more to get a possession order from the courts.
Another one is BTL lenders withdrawing from the market because of this. And definitely withdrawing if selling a rental property is no longer a reason for eviction. Bye bye interest only mortgages with sale of property as repayment vehicle.

Old Mrs Landlord

11:47 AM, 20th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Peter Merrick at 19/06/2024 - 23:03Aren't most of us already doing a lot of the things you list? However rent in advance is not something we ourselves have yet felt necessary to ask, since the choice of eager tenants has been so wide. .

Richard

16:15 PM, 20th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

I am not really worried about any changes to legislation, I have good long term tenants so am not looking to evict people.Having said that I am now looking to downsize and any changes to capital gains tax will have a major effect. I suspect that gains will end up being tested as income by Labour which will make a massive difference. As the article says the conservatives haven't exactly been the friend of the landlord!

Frank Jennings

7:46 AM, 21st June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Well I think its important to look at what the future effects will be, beyond the renters who will become homeless unless they have the money to pay the inevitable higher rents, and the Landlords who will simply stop paying their B2L mortgages, and let the banks evict the problem tenants. The banks have superior rights and powers of eviction and that will become the route Landlords will get forced to take. That will have a knock on effect on banks not offering B2L mortgages because they will become too risky an investment. Finally the PRS will disappear and renters will have to rent from the council, or a housing association, where they will be buying up all the small rental companies that have proliferated due to the introduction of section 24. Hopefully someone in power will stop all this madness before it gets this far, but dont hold your breath.

Sally Robinson

11:16 AM, 21st June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Peter Merrick at 19/06/2024 - 23:03
So true....

Fed-up Landlord

13:29 PM, 21st June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Who writes this rubbish?

I have 14 units and I'm REALLY worried, as are all my fellow landlords

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