One in five private landlords now less willing to rent to young people as a result of tax increases.
New research shows one in five private landlords now less willing to rent to young people as a result of tax increases.
With half of 16 to 34 year olds now living in the private rented sector, the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is warning that young tenants will be hit hardest by the changes as landlords consider moving out of the long term rental market.
Since April this year mortgage interest relief for landlords is being phased out to the basic rate of income tax only and landlords are being taxed on their turnover instead of their profit, unlike any other business.
According to the research by Sheffield Hallam University for the RLA, 19 per cent of landlords are less willing to rent to under-35s as a result of the tax increases.
Previous studies have found that many landlords are moving to the short term holiday let market to avoid the tax increases, are looking to increase rents to cover the extra costs or are planning to sell properties so cutting supply for young people who need long term rental accommodation the most.
Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid made a commitment at the Tory Party conference that next month’s budget would include incentives to encourage and support landlords offering longer tenancies.
In response, 52% of landlords said tax relief for offering longer tenancies would make them more likely to rent to under 35s – 58% said that reversing the mortgage interest changes altogether would make them more likely to do so.
David Smith, RLA Policy Director, said: “As Ministers work on a Budget aimed at supporting young people, today’s findings show that it will be this very same group that is hit hardest by tax rises on the private rental market.
“With many landlords considering changes to their lettings strategies to escape the hikes many young people will find it increasingly difficult to find the long term homes to rent they desperately need.
“Ahead of the Budget we are calling on the Government to scrap the tax hikes and support good landlords to develop the new homes to rent we need alongside all other tenures.”
Click here to view the original article ‘Young tenants hit by tax hike on landlords’