NRLA wants Holiday Lets to be hammered the same way as BTL?

NRLA wants Holiday Lets to be hammered the same way as BTL?

9:02 AM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago 55

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NRLA Clarification:

“Calling for long term-rental property to be taxed more favourably than short-term holiday lets is clearly not the same as saying they should be taxed the same. After all how could you favour one over the other if they were taxed the same?”

“A clear example is the proposal the NRLA put out in its press release- whilst the stamp duty levy would apply to the provision of new homes to rent adding to the overall supply of housing, it would continue to apply to those investing in new holiday lets. The NRLA also believes that the Chancellor should look at the way the sector is taxed in the round to ensure it has an advantage over short term holiday lets given the pressing need for long term rental properties. As Ben notes in his quote it is the impact of tax policies as a whole that are causing such supply problems. “

The NRLA press release says it: “Wants to ensure the tax system encourages the provision of longer-term rental property over short-term holiday lets. From April this year, the final phase of reducing mortgage interest relief for landlords to the basic rate of income tax will be completed. This measure does not apply though to furnished holiday lets. This has encouraged the removal of properties from the long-term market for use as short-term holiday lets.”

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association comments:

“To be taxing long term homes to rent less favourably than holiday lets is simply bizarre. It completely undermines efforts by the Government to encourage the provision of long term, secure housing.

“It is time for the Government to realise that its tax policies have created a shortage of rented housing. This can only mean higher rents and reduced choice for renters. This is not going to do much for the levelling up agenda.”

The National Residential Landlords Association is also calling on the Chancellor to scrap the 3% stamp duty levy on the purchase of homes to rent where landlords invest in properties that add to the net supply of housing. This would include developing new housing, converting large properties into affordable units, changing the use of a property from commercial to residential or bringing one of the almost 650,000 empty homes in England back into use.

This comes as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has concluded that rents will rise because of demand for properties increasing, whilst new instructions from landlords continue to “dwindle.”

Property website, Rightmove revealed that outside London asking rents increased in the fourth quarter for 2020 for the first time since 2011, leading to a record average of £972 a month. It warns that in the suburbs, towns and villages, available housing is lower than normal for this time of year, whilst demand is higher.

Ben Beadle said:

“To have a tax on developing new housing is completely nonsensical at a time when more is needed. Supporting growth in the private rental market, alongside all other housing types, would provide a significant boost to the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research published last year suggests that landlords inject over £3.5 billion into local businesses across the UK.”


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Comments

Neil Patterson

12:42 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Response from the NRLA:

The NRLA was concerned at Property 118’s coverage of its press release today.

Under the headline: “NRLA wants Holiday Lets to be hammered the same way as BTL?”, the opening paragraph reads: “Rather than campaign against the unfair imposition of section 24 mortgage interest relief restrictions and the discrimination against BTL landlords the NRLA would prefer short term holiday lets and Airbnb to suffer the same fate.”

The next paragraph however then quotes form the NRLA press release which notes that it: “Wants to ensure the tax system encourages the provision of longer-term rental property over short-term holiday lets.”

Calling for long term-rental property to be taxed more favourably than short-term holiday lets is clearly not the same as saying they should be taxed the same. After all how could you favour one over the other if they were taxed the same?

A clear example is the proposal the NRLA put out in its press release- whilst the stamp duty levy would apply to the provision of new homes to rent adding to the overall supply of housing, it would continue to apply to those investing in new holiday lets. The NRLA also believes that the Chancellor should look at the way the sector is taxed in the round to ensure it has an advantage over short term holiday lets given the pressing need for long term rental properties. As Ben notes in his quote it is the impact of tax policies as a whole that are causing such supply problems.

The NRLA would be grateful if your piece could be changed to address its concern over the interpretation of what the NRLA is calling for, to ensure it is accurate.

Chris @ Possession Friend

12:49 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Even the NRLA reiteration makes clear that they want more Tax on short term lets to even the score !

john glynn

12:58 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Neil Patterson at 05/02/2021 - 12:42The NRLA are back tracking. The mere insinuation that FHLs have contributed to the shortage of long term rentals by highlighting their favourable tax status will only serve to put the sector in the sights oh HMRC. Property 118 should not edit their original post.

Chris @ Possession Friend

13:32 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by john glynn at 05/02/2021 - 12:58
Ageed John. - I think its the NRLA that need to amend their statement.

Neil Patterson

13:55 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by john glynn at 05/02/2021 - 12:58
Hi John,

It was an NRLA press release and if they wish to make a clarification that is only fair (none of us are perfect). The original release has not been deleted or amended.

We are thus providing the direct unedited response for readers and how this is interpreted and whether we think this is appropriate to defend landlords is up to readers.

Carol

14:20 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Most associations are formed to give a united front and speak up on behalf of its members. As a current member of the NRLA , i have never been consulted before any press release. The NRLA does not appear to be on the side of landlords or voice the concerns that many landlords have?

I own properties both in my own name for many years and more recently as a limited company. I run both entities in the same professional way. I have looked at incorporation but it has a lot of downsides, especially since we plan now to sell as soon as possible. BTL properties are a long term plan for professional landlords and it is not easy to mobilize as an asset, yet the government change the rules on us on a whim to gain votes.

Perhaps it is time to ditch the NRLA and form an association that truly stands up for its members

Chris @ Possession Friend

14:36 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Carol at 05/02/2021 - 14:20
Carol, that was tried it seems with the Landlord Alliance but poor subscription support from landlords. Since a change of management, others on here thoroughly agree it is not something to be supported unfortunately.

There are a few Landlord Associations such as iHowz and the Guild of Residential Landlords.

terry sullivan

16:18 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

i left nla as i felt they were not on landlords side

Carol

16:24 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 05/02/2021 - 14:36
Then it looks like the only option is to get out of property as soon as possible before the government either takes it away or gives it to the tenants for free.

Freda Blogs

17:04 PM, 5th February 2021, About 3 years ago

I think the NRLA has done the right thing by calling out the differentials in treatment of holiday lets and long-term rental accommodation.
Landlords of longer term rentals are providing much-needed housing for individuals, yet they are taxed less favourably, they are held to a higher standard of accommodation and regulations than holiday lets and, adding insult to injury, during the Covid crisis have received no government support whatsoever because they are investors rather than a business. No wonder that many landlords have switched to the holiday let model alongside the many new entrants into the market.
Instead of shooting the messenger, I would have expected landlords to agree with a suggestion to level up the playing field – not necessarily in a punitive way for owners of holiday lets, but to be fairer to the longer term landlords.

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