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Rise in Landlords Purchasing BTL Properties through Limited Companies

Rising numbers of UK and international landlords are choosing to register as a limited company to manage their BTL portfolios and to take advantage of sizeable tax benefits.

Thirlmere Deacon has seen a spike in international investors enquiring about forming a limited company, up 62 per cent year on year. It claims that further findings reveal that there were a record number of new limited companies set up in 2020, with 228,743 buy-to-let firms up and running.

Last year, there were a total of 41,700 buy-to-let incorporations, an increase of 23 per cent on 2019. The numbers have more than doubled since 2016, rising 128 per cent, when tax changes for landlords were introduced. Between the beginning of 2016 and the end of 2020 more companies were set up to hold buy-to-let properties than in the preceding 50 years combined. Companies set up to hold buy-to-let properties were the second most common company founded during 2020, with companies selling goods online or by mail order in first place.

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More than a third (34 per cent) of all companies set up to hold buy-to-let properties in 2020 were in London. Together, London and the South East accounted for almost half (47 per cent) of all incorporations.

Stuart Williams, founder and CEO of Thirlmere Deacon, said: “If landlords hold property in a limited company, they have the ability to offset 100 per cent of mortgage interest against profits, while those holding a property in their own name can offset just 20 per cent. Investing in property through a company provides landlords with higher levels of tax relief and personal tax savings. Landlords can grow their BTL portfolio more quickly, as there is no income tax on the retained profit, thus allowing more cash to re-invest. Although corporation tax is payable on trading profits, this is lower than the higher income tax rate.”

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He added: “However, running a portfolio through a limited company is not right for everyone. One of the main benefits of remaining a private landlord is that any post-tax profits can go straight into their pocket. Profits can be used then for anything they choose – all paid for by the tenants.”

BY PETE CARVILL

Source: Property Wire

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Ringley: Now is the time to invest in BTL properties

Rental housing is likely to prove more resilient during this downturn than other real estate sectors, and landlords should therefore use this opportunity to invest in buy-to-let (BTL) properties, according to residential property consultancy Ringley Group.

Mary-Anne Bowring (pictured), managing director at Ringley Group, as said that people are more likely to rent than buy during a recession, and rent is typically one of the last things people stop paying during financial hardship.

Bowring said: “There is a huge opportunity still for buy-to-let investors in the UK rental market, which is only predicted to grow in size.

“That’s why institutional investors such as pension funds and insurers are investing billions in building homes for rent, as they see an opportunity to secure income-producing investments that hold up well during a downturn.”

Once the current crisis passes, pre-lockdown trends, including the predicted rise in the number of renters, will also continue.

This is due to affordability, changes in lifestyle and the job market, fundamentals which will remain post-virus.

To stimulate housing market activity and help landlords invest in BTL properties, Ringley has called for the government to exempt landlords from the stamp duty surcharge on second homes.

Bowring said: “Government efforts to restart the housing market should reflect long term pre-existing trends and that includes the continued growth in private renting.

“If the government wants to kill two birds with one stone – boost activity in the housing market and provide much needed rental homes – it should exempt landlords from the second home stamp duty surcharge immediately.”

In response to the growing demand for rental properties, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown, Ringley recently brought forward the launch of its automated lettings platform, PlanetRent.

Bowring said: “Proptech is evolving lettings fast as tenants must be seen as customers and the expectation is a frictionless, fully loaded experience, including immediate service which automation allows.

“It is important that buy-to-let landlords learn from institutional landlords to not fall behind the latest trends.”

By Jessica Bird

Source: Mortgage Introducer