Blog
Higher rates of Stamp Duty on second property may impact wider property market
Thursday, February 25, 2016
When asked to elaborate on what kind of impact this will have, two thirds suggested that the number of buyers entering the market may decrease. However, the government has stated that it estimates around 90% of residential property transactions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will not pay the higher rates of SDLT.
The national network of independent estate agents also asked its members whether they anticipate a rise in rental rates in the long term, because of the added Stamp Duty cost to landlords. Indeed, 61% said ‘yes’. The most significant trend that Relocation Agent Network members anticipate from the proposed increase in Stamp Duty rates on purchases of second properties, is the ‘decline in available rental properties’. Indeed nearly half (45%) of respondents indicated so. This would appear to be due to the increased Stamp Duty costs deterring both prospective buy-to-let investors from entering the market and current landlords from purchasing additional rental properties.
On 28 December 2015, the government published an open consultation on higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on purchases of second and subsequent residential properties. This consultation closed on 1 February 2016. It is proposed that the higher rates, which will apply from 1 April 2016, will be three percentage points above the current SDLT rates and will be charged on the portion of the value of the property that falls into each band.
Allan Taylor from The Frost Partnership, the member of Relocation Agent Network in Ashford, Middlesex, said, “Although we expect these new measures will have some impact on the market, we do not think they will be too significant for the majority of buyers and sellers. If you have a property to sell, contact us today. We’re Relocation Agent Network’s appointed Local Expert for locations across Bucks, Berkshire and Middlesex which means we have access to out of town buyers moving into the area.”
Relocation Agent Network is a national network of specially selected estate agents. All members are handpicked after thorough checks identify them as the best estate agent to represent Relocation Agent Network in their area. The Network provides coverage throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Relocation Agent Network is a division of Cartus, the premier provider of global relocation services, with nearly 168,000 customers moved worldwide every year. In the UK, Cartus uses Network members to buy and sell homes for these relocating families. As well as relocating families moving with Cartus, Relocation Agent Network helps house movers in other parts of the country by referring buyers and sellers from one area to another.
