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Buy-to-let mortgage lending rockets ahead of stamp duty rise Buy-to-let mortgage lending rockets ahead of stamp duty rise
(6 months later)
The number of buy-to-let mortgages rocketed by 22% in January compared with the same month in 2015, as landlords rushed to beat forthcoming tax changes.The number of buy-to-let mortgages rocketed by 22% in January compared with the same month in 2015, as landlords rushed to beat forthcoming tax changes.
Around 9,500 loans were taken out by buy-to-let borrowers in January, compared with 7,800 in January 2015, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The total amount borrowed rose by 40% year-on-year to £1.4bn.Around 9,500 loans were taken out by buy-to-let borrowers in January, compared with 7,800 in January 2015, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The total amount borrowed rose by 40% year-on-year to £1.4bn.
The figures are the latest to show a surge in interest from investors ahead of the coming stamp duty hike on second homes. From 1 April, they will pay a 3% surcharge on stamp duty on property purchases.The figures are the latest to show a surge in interest from investors ahead of the coming stamp duty hike on second homes. From 1 April, they will pay a 3% surcharge on stamp duty on property purchases.
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The amount lent to homeowners remortgaging was £5.8bn, the CML said, the highest figure since January 2009 and a rise of 32% on the same month in 2015.The amount lent to homeowners remortgaging was £5.8bn, the CML said, the highest figure since January 2009 and a rise of 32% on the same month in 2015.
Jeremy Leaf, a former Rics chairman and north London estate agent, said: “The figures give us a taste of what is to come in the housing market over coming months.Jeremy Leaf, a former Rics chairman and north London estate agent, said: “The figures give us a taste of what is to come in the housing market over coming months.
“What we are seeing on the ground is people taking advantage of mortgage rates while they are low. With a relatively low number of transactions taking place, lenders are having to make up their numbers somewhere and are offering a plethora of attractive remortgage deals.”“What we are seeing on the ground is people taking advantage of mortgage rates while they are low. With a relatively low number of transactions taking place, lenders are having to make up their numbers somewhere and are offering a plethora of attractive remortgage deals.”
First-time buyers took out 21,400 home loans in January, up 14% on the same month the previous year, borrowing a total of £3.3bn.First-time buyers took out 21,400 home loans in January, up 14% on the same month the previous year, borrowing a total of £3.3bn.
Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: “Cheap mortgage rates, challenger banks keen to lend and schemes aimed at helping first-time buyers on to the ladder, are all helping create a buoyant market, which we expect to continue well into the spring.”Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: “Cheap mortgage rates, challenger banks keen to lend and schemes aimed at helping first-time buyers on to the ladder, are all helping create a buoyant market, which we expect to continue well into the spring.”
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The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said its members believed that the UK housing market will slow down over the next three months as the stamp duty tax changes “take the heat out” of interest from investors.The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said its members believed that the UK housing market will slow down over the next three months as the stamp duty tax changes “take the heat out” of interest from investors.
“Over the past three months, we have witnessed a surge in buy-to-let activity,” said Simon Rubinsohn, Rics chief economist.“Over the past three months, we have witnessed a surge in buy-to-let activity,” said Simon Rubinsohn, Rics chief economist.
“Investors have rushed to purchase homes before the stamp duty surcharge comes into effect. It is inevitable that over the coming months, April’s stamp duty changes will take a little of the heat out of the investor market.“Investors have rushed to purchase homes before the stamp duty surcharge comes into effect. It is inevitable that over the coming months, April’s stamp duty changes will take a little of the heat out of the investor market.
“While there remain significant doubts as to whether the government’s plans to encourage a more robust development and construction pipeline will be sufficient to address the housing crisis, long-term price indications for the housing market remain strong.”“While there remain significant doubts as to whether the government’s plans to encourage a more robust development and construction pipeline will be sufficient to address the housing crisis, long-term price indications for the housing market remain strong.”
Paul Smee, director general of the CML, said that borrowers “continue to seek attractive deals despite the lower-for-longer expectations for interest rates”.Paul Smee, director general of the CML, said that borrowers “continue to seek attractive deals despite the lower-for-longer expectations for interest rates”.