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18:34 PM, 3rd August 2015, About 9 years ago 111
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As part of our campaign to reverse the Government’s Budget proposals restricting finance cost relief for individual landlords we are aiming to lobby all MPs in the UK – and as many times as possible.
We are asking that everyone who is against this proposal firstly signs this petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104880
Secondly, and as importantly, we are asking that you write to your MP and preferably follow this up with a visit to your MP’s surgery.
It will be the case for some that you may live in one constituency and have rental houses in other constituencies. Please send emails to all the MPs that are applicable to you.
In order to keep track and make sure we leave no-one out, can you please post in the comments section below the following details:
1. Name of MP contacted via email/letter.
2. Constituency of the MP.
3. Date(s) letters/emails sent.
4. Whether you have spoken to the MP face-to-face and/or made an appointment to see him/her in their surgery.
If you get any response other than an automated reply or acknowledgement, please paste the text in the comments section below, remembering to ensure the full name of the MP and Constituency is included.
Also, later on (bearing in mind MPs’ absences during the summer recess), please also report back on their attitude towards the Budget proposal.
I will be keeping a spreadsheet, to make sure we miss no-one out.
Contacting MPs and persuading them of our case is going to be key to our success in overturning this illogical, unjust and discriminatory proposal. You may be the only person who writes to your MP, so it is very important not to assume someone else will already have done so.
We should especially be looking out for MPs who might be willing to champion our cause as well as those who will be willing to vote against the Finance Bill. If you feel your MP falls into this category, please let us know in the comments section below.
The following is a link to a website with contact details of your MP >>> https://www.writetothem.com/
Below is a sample email/letter to MP’s you may wish to adapt, if you don’t have the time to write one from scratch:
Adjust as necessary, e.g. if you are not a constituent but own property in the constituency, or if you want to add something about the MP’s party’s stance on it etc.
Dear [Name of MP]
I am writing to you as one of your constituents, my address is [ add your address and postcode here]
I am writing with regard to the latest attack on landlords in the Budget, through the proposals to restrict ‘tax relief’ for landlords. Many landlords have been confused about the terminology “tax relief”, so many still don’t realise the effects this would have on their businesses and on the wider economy.
Aafter seeking clarification from HMRC, I have realised that what is really being proposed is that the cost of interest, which is our biggest cost in running our businesses, has been re-defined as ‘income,’ which can be taxed. Obviously, this makes no sense, and this is the verdict of the chief economists who reported to the Treasury Select Committee on the Summer Budget.
If this is to be a new principle of taxation, why aren’t all businesses in the UK facing this bizarre proposal?
Buy-to-let is not a simple, ‘hands-off investment’ as it is sometimes portrayed; it is a very labour-intensive business, often very stressful and for many of us constitutes a full-time job, whereby we work and are on call 7 days a week, including evenings.
Unfortunately, the failure to understand our business (ignorance, by another word), has led to the Government announcing this illogical and unjust proposal.
I am hoping you can use your influence and your vote to help quash this measure.
You will find more details of the proposal on this link to the Property118 landlords forum – LINK >>> http://www.property118.com/?p=76936
The information there will help you to be fully informed, but if you have any questions please let me know and I will endeavour to answer them.
I will be coming to meet you soon at one of your surgeries to discuss this in person.
Yours sincerely
[add your name here]
YOUR Money, YOUR future, YOUR choice.
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Dr Rosalind Beck
8:13 AM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Scott Elliott" at "03/09/2015 - 08:10":
Thanks very much for that Scott. That should help a lot.
Dr Rosalind Beck
8:17 AM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Scott Elliott" at "03/09/2015 - 08:10":
Thanks Scott. I just clicked on the link though and couldn't see MPs names and details - can you say where they are on the site? Thanks.
Big Blue
9:00 AM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Scott Elliott" at "03/09/2015 - 08:10":
Good tip Scott, will use it.
(To my recent shame and frustration) I happen to be an elected councillor for the Conservatives and can easily bring this to the attention of my fellow councillors and the housing teams in my area. I'm not overly sure how interested Conservatives will be as they tend to follow the party line, but the opposition groups will possibly see the value in it regarding the effects on tenants, while the IFS statement can be used on my own side.
Francesca Donatella
12:32 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
1. Name of MP contacted via email/letter.
Pete Wishart
2. Constituency of the MP.
Perth and North Perthshire
3. Date(s) letters/emails sent.
3/9/2015
4. Whether you have spoken to the MP face-to-face and/or made an appointment to see him/her in their surgery.
Asked for appointment
Nitzan
20:06 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
I received this from one of the councillors I wrote to:
"Thanks for your information. WCC is controlled by the Conservative group, we are 11 Labour members. There is a controlling Cabinet. If the issue arises we will no doubt respond.
Regards
Pattie Hill"
What does this mean?
Any suggestions for a good response?
Dr Rosalind Beck
20:26 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Nitzan Marinov" at "03/09/2015 - 20:06":
Hi Nitzan. What a cryptic response. I'd ask for clarification - perhaps mentioning the way this is going to have a very deleterious effect on tenants, including the poorest sections of society who of course rent.
Eg: 'Would I be right to assume that you will be on the side of the tenants in this matter and oppose and speak up against this tax which is going to cause massive upheaval and distress to many of the people in your area? You must be aware that rents will rise and people will be evicted, as landlords will be forced to stave off bankruptcy and/or sell off many of their rental properties, as finance costs will no longer be offsettable' etc. I like to link them up the Richard Dyson set of articles:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/buy-to-let/11816720/Death-of-buy-to-let-landlords-wake-up-to-Osbornes-150pc-tax.html
And also the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104880
Thanks also to Francesca for the info.
Scott Elliott
20:50 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Ros ." at "03/09/2015 - 08:17":
Hi Guys..
Just checked and I can see them .. if you type new case and then in the search box "MP for " you will see a list there
Ps. I have escalated my complaint to the chief whip (one extra click) as I have had no response from the MP for Old bexley and sidcup
Cheers
Dr Rosalind Beck
20:58 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Scott Elliott" at "03/09/2015 - 20:50":
Nice one Scott. I like the idea of 'escalating a complaint.' We haven't been using that language, but it's interesting to see it as a complaint. We might complain for voting the b*******s in, when they said they were the only pro-business party and said nothing in their Manifesto about clobbering landlords as soon as they got in. A complaint for deception, maybe? Or misrepresentation?
Nitzan
21:02 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Ros ." at "03/09/2015 - 20:26":
Thanks, Ros. I did as suggested and replied to her.
To her credit, she got back to me straight away. But with this:
"Depends totally on motion presented.
Regards
Pattie"
I feel the need to go back to her with 'WTF?'.
What does this mean? That she will vote in favour or against based on the weather that day? Wouldn't she want to form an opinion based on her values?
Does she really think I understand the inner workings of the council and that I can make sense out this this?
Big Blue
21:06 PM, 3rd September 2015, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by "Nitzan Marinov" at "03/09/2015 - 20:06":
Hi Nitzan,
It's good you got a response but it looks like a fob-off. It basically means if there's a suitable opportunity, they might mention it, but they're not likely to proactively pursue it.
Id reply by urging them to consider the serious implications for both tenants and council housing teams. Ask them all to sign up to the petition (as a way of bashing George if nothing else - Labour love that). And tell them that if they get an 'opposition leader's question' at the monthly full council meeting (they surely do) they should strongly consider using this issue as a housing question for debate in chamber.
James