We explore whether it is still economically viable to invest in the property since the stamp duty increases and what sort of properties you can invest in to minimize the effect of the rise or completely bypass it altogether.
The Impact of the Increase in Stamp Duty
An investment property in Birmingham costs £168,062.00, so you’d typically have to pay £5903 in stamp duty costs.
The Increase in Stamp Duty Has Contributed to House Price Slump
One of the main issues the increase has caused is the increased cost of acquiring a new property, which has caused a slump in house price inflation. While this is a good time for potential investors to consider purchasing additional properties, those who already own property will probably be disappointed with the market’s growth. In particular, the increase affects London’s property prices most because house prices are generally higher, so the stamp duty levied on the properties is proportionately higher. This means that either demand may go down due to the high costs, or property prices may decrease to make up for the increase in stamp duty. Halifax’s April 2016 House Price Index announced negative growth in house prices, as a month on April 2016 saw average house prices fall by 0.8%, which is attributed to a lack of confidence in the wider economy.
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The Increase in Stamp Duty Fails to Dampen Landlords’ Spirits
The increase seems not to have deterred landlords, as the number of landlords has risen to 1.75 million. This has mainly been due to the increase in lending and cheaper mortgages, as access to funds is one of the main drivers in the property market. Another factor contributing to the rise in landlords has been the superior yields, far outstripping interest investors make their money saved elsewhere.
Another positive is that according to Halifax’s May 2016 House Price Index, house prices are resuming an upward trend, with month-on-month growth of 0.6%. This suggests the British public still has an appetite for property and is welcome news to existing property investors.
Strategies to Avoid Stamp Duty or Minimise its Effect
Although the increase may make some investors think twice about investing in property, it needn’t have to. Property investors can work around the stamp duty increase or minimize its effect in plenty of ways.
Purchase Property in a Company Name
Stamp duty land tax can be avoided by purchasing a property in a company name using a business mortgage. This also allows for interest payments to be tax-deductible, exponentially increasing your return on investment because mortgages can be granted up to seventy-five percent of the property’s value, which amounts to a lot of interest.
The Number of Mortgage Products Available to Limited Companies is Increasing
The number of products available to limited companies is increasing year-on-year. In H1 2015, an average of 99 products were available to limited companies, but in H2, this rose to 147 products.
The number of mortgage applications companies make now accounts for over a third (38%) of all mortgage applications, up from 15% in 2014. It’s also worth noting that mortgage acceptance rates are at an all-time high, so if you’re considering investing in property, now is a good time to apply for a mortgage.
Avoid Stamp Duty Altogether with Alternative Investments Such as Car Park Investments
Furthermore, would-be buy-to-let investors focus on ways to avoid the stamp duty charges altogether or minimize its effect. Car park spaces are exempt from the 3% stamp duty charge because they’re classed as commercial property. Car park investments can also give an 8% net assured income for two years and havee a five-year exit strategy with a buy-back option if you decide the investment is not for you.
Invest in Properties Outside of London for Lower Stamp Duty Costs
Another option is to consider properties in areas outside of London. As mentioned in the article, London properties are more expensive, so there is more stamp duty to pay. Cities such as Manchester and Liverpool command a much higher rental yield, allowing you to maximize your profits. Properties in these cities outside of London are generally much lower, so the amount of stamp duty you’ll have to pay is much lower.
Birmingham is consistently considered one of the best buy-to-let areas and was recently named by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) as the number one buy-to-let hotspot outside of London. Average property prices in Britain’s second city are considerably lower than property prices in London. According to Rightmove, Birmingham’s overall average property prices currently stand at £168,062, compared to £556,350 in London. For property investors, this means that if they were to invest in property in Birmingham, they’d pay exponentially less in stamp duty than in London property.
Student properties in Liverpool, such as Pembroke Studios, command an assured net rental yield of 8% for five years and had a buy-back option after five years. Fortunately, in a city such as Liverpool, there will never be a shortage of students looking for high-quality accommodation due to its sizeable student population, which comprises 12% of the city’s overall population. Pembroke Studios is conveniently located within a mile radius of four universities in Liverpool, so it’s desirably situated for an overwhelming number of students.
In conclusion, property investment is still a viable way to achieve good returns, especially when interest rates for money kept in savings accounts are at a record low. Property investors should make cautious investment decisions and consider investing in towns and cities outside London where possible. We recommend car park investments or other commercial investments that do not incur the charges for those looking to bypass stamp duty altogether.
We are a property investment company that sources investment rental property, including high-yield property such as hotel rooms and buy-to-let investments for people looking for income-producing assets.
