Buy-to-let landlords
getting cold feet over sector regulation
Buy-to-let landlords have
turned negative on their investments due to higher taxes and greater regulation,
according to research from property development firm Accumulate Capital.
The research found that 37%
of UK property investors are planning on selling one or more of the residential
properties they own in 2020.
Over half of landlords
would not have purchased their properties in the first place had they known how
regulated the industry would become, it added.
The research also found
that 61% of those planning to sell said this was a response to the greater
regulation and higher taxes they now face as buy-to-let investors. In addition,
72% consider current taxes and regulations to be unfairly weighted against
landlords.
Meanwhile, over two thirds
of landlords say the costs of managing their property portfolio have risen
considerably over the past five years.
Commenting on the
research, Paul Howells, Chief Executive of Accumulate Capital, said: ‘Property
investors are clearly frustrated by how much red tape there now is within the
private rental sector and buy-to-let market.
‘Yes, there is a need for
regulatory measures to protect the interests of all parties involved in the
property market, but as our research shows, some landlords feel the current
system is unfairly weighted against them.’