Will you be hit by the Budget?

Reply to the comment left by sam at 15/11/2017 - 05:30
Hello Sam

I have to admit, I really do miss being able to go out for a good Sunday roast. I cannot find one in Malta. That said, having been here for nearly two years I would not trade roast beef and Yorkshire Pud for 300 days a year of sunshine.

I not going to lay out my entire tax affairs on the forum, save to say there are good tax reasons for me to be resident in Malta too.Here's an example of why many larger landlords are leaving the UK for tax planning purposes https://www.property118.com/expat-landlords-tax-planning-opportunity/

Turning to your property market predictions and the questions you have raised in that regard ....

If very few properties change hands for a sustained period that also means that very few will be built either. Unless the population starts shrinking a demand bubble will begin to inflate. That will drive rental values up for sure but capital value stagnation is more likely than appreciation in my opinion, unless Finance becomes more freely available again. I can’t see prices dropping much because people simply wont sell if they can’t afford to. If interest rate rises cause mass mortgage defaults the Banks and the Government are screwed along with everybody else so I can’t see that happening either.

The above is my perception of what is most likely is a stagnant UK economy over the next decade or so. If you are forecasting even longer term than that I can follow your logic but as always, the further out one projects the more blurred the picture becomes.

Reply to the comment left by Mark Alexander at 14/11/2017 - 10:23
Thanks Mark for taking the time as always with a spot on defence.

Why do we bother attempting to argue rationally? It only makes us more angry and achieves sweet FA! I gave up buying the Guardian years ago. In my view it is nothing but an overpriced, left wing, pretentious mouthpiece with a rather good crossword.

Reply to the comment left by John Walker at 19/11/2017 - 12:48
We argue rationally, and with courtesy, because we have a good case that needs to be made. Nobody is likely to be persuaded if they are called names and insulted. I am hopeful the Government will listen when they start to see the damage their policies are causing and how the people they profess to help are in fact made worse off.

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 19/11/2017 - 17:40
Well said Ian

Reply to the comment left by John Walker at 19/11/2017 - 12:48
We argue
Because it is the hall mark of our civilisation
Because thats what make us who we are n what our society is
Because thats how we exchange ideas and how we progress
Because ..........

I am afraid the days when 'political power stems from the barrel of a gun' are long gone - for UK at least. Neither would I welcome it back.

Sometimes we have to put up with things that make our blood boil but then what is the alternative ?

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 19/11/2017 - 17:40
Well said Ian. Although not sure if anybody in government is listening.
Keep your hope but dont hold your breath - the last rent control went on for a few more decades than anybody cared to remember even though the damages were patently obvious to all. And the lingering effects lasted even longer.

And so Patrick, perhaps it's time to reply to some of the questions raised here?

Just read City am about budget prediction. You guessed that - it looks like another attack at PRs: "But landlords should watch out: it's thought the new rule will be financed by an increase in stamp duty for buy-to-let properties" - new rule being 0% stamp duty for FTB. Link: http://www.cityam.com/276009/budget-2017-uk-predictions-you-can-expect-chancellors

Reply to the comment left by Mark Alexander at 15/11/2017 - 07:34
Ref the roast - maybe cook your own!