THE PROPERTY BLOG

… and the 6 reasons why you most definitely shouldn’t!

By Simon Joyce.

The buy-to-let market is about to enter a challenging 12 to 24 months. Yet, by looking back at the last recession and what is happening now, there are vital lessons all  landlords can learn to protect themselves. In fact, landlords can create opportunities for themselves both in the short term and, ultimately, the longer term. For the purposes of this article, I would like to split these and look at the challenges and then the opportunities.

The 3 Challenges Ahead

Overall, the impending rise in unemployment stands to encumber tenants’ ability to pay their rent, the rents being achieved and the possible Capital Gains Tax changes might mean an increase in tax paid by landlords when they come to sell their buy-to-let properties.

Let’s look at these three points in greater detail.

Firstly, let’s look at your tenants ability to pay the rent; the Furlough Scheme certainly did help soften the blow, helping out 8.9 million people in May out of 30.5 million who were eligible for it. At the last count in early August, this thankfully had reduced to 5.3 million people (meaning 15.86% of workers are still on furlough). However, it cannot be denied the economic fallout from Coronavirus has already placed some tenants under economic strain. As the Furlough Scheme finishes at the end of October, commentators are suggesting the number of tenants either incapable of paying their rent, or requesting a reduction in their rent, is predicted to increase as we go into autumn and early winter.

The ultimate sanction against non-payment of rent is legal proceedings although guidance from the Government has recommended that landlords and tenants should work together and deplete all possible options before starting eviction proceedings. Yet many landlords are feeling the pressure as many mortgage payment holidays will be coming to a close at the end of September. Some landlords can indisputably see that their tenants are finding it tough and they are willing to work with them, but they can only make allowances go so far.

Landlords aren’t running a charity and I would stress to any tenant that finds themselves being made unemployed in the months to come to apply for Universal Credit as soon as possible, which should help with their rental payments. With regard to the eviction process, the Government have changed the rules a number of times in the last few months, so if you want an update, don’t hesitate to contact our team, whether you are client or not – we are just happy to help.

Secondly, it’s interesting in central London, there has been a glut of Airbnb properties coming onto the market because of a lack of tourists to rent them on a short-term let. A greater supply of rental properties has meant a downward pressure on rents in London of 2.1%. So does this mean rents are about to plummet and put landlords off investing in property? Maybe in London but I don’t think this is so much of an issue in this area as rents in Derby and Burton on Trent are around 3% higher year on year.

Thirdly, there is talk that the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is looking at changing the Capital Gains Taxation rules.  As property is the biggest asset that most people own, this is also reason for concern for buy-to-let landlords. Currently, Capital Gains Tax on sales of buy-to-let property is levied at 18% for basic income tax rate payers and 28% for higher rate income taxpayers. There is talk the capital gains made on the landlord selling their buy-to-let property could be taxed at the landlord’s income tax rate.

Before you all start selling your portfolios prior to any anticipated changes in CGT rules, I would suspect that any changes would be immediate. That means to ensure you didn’t come foul of the potential rise in the tax, you would have to have to sell your portfolio at a ‘fire sale price’ in days and have a solicitor that could do the conveyancing in 3 weeks – impossible considering it takes around 18 weeks on average for buyers to sort their legal work out!  Also, the buyer be a cash buyer because banks are taking months, not weeks to sort finance. This is just something we are going to have to take on the chin!

The 6 Opportunities Ahead 

As the country officially entered its first recession since 2009, uncertainty in any markets causes investors to vacillate over whether or not to take the jump. Nevertheless, there are numerous indicators that appear to show this is, indeed, a good time to either become a buy-to-let landlord or expand one’s property empire and buy more property… let me explain.

Firstly, assets such as gold and stocks and shares are great, yet, if they aren’t producing income and cash – that doesn’t pay for your day-to-day living. Gold doesn’t create any income and many FTSE companies won’t be paying dividends for a while. Government Bonds are currently earning their investors 0.2% (no – that isn’t a typo!) and the best savings accounts are achieving 1.1% with a 120-day notice period, so where are you going to invest your hard-earned money?

The average Burton-on-Trent buy-to-let property, for example, will earn a monthly return of 5.48%

Of course, deciding on the right property is crucial to get a good rental income and return. I have seen so many first-time landlords buy with their heart and not their head. Buying your own home is more heart than head but buy-to-let is a completely different kettle of fish.

There is the inverse relationship between rental income and capital growth.  As one goes up, the other tends to go down – so getting the balance right for your individual needs is vital.

Secondly, with the stamp duty holiday and the pent-up demand for people wanting to move home as discussed many times recently in this blog, the local property market is certainly very buoyant at the moment, yet even the most optimistic agents say it cannot last. Whether the market goes pop or has a slow and steady puncture, the market will cool in 2021. The recession will mean some people are less able to afford a mortgage. This means that if property values do ease off in 2021, you may be able to get a great buy-to-let deal if you are planning on becoming a landlord or expand your property empire as an existing landlord.

Also, if the property market does find property prices realign to a new normal in 2021/2, house sellers may find it difficult to get a good price on their home during a recession, meaning many house sellers may be more agreeable to sell their property at a lower price.

Third, if people aren’t buying, they still need a roof over their head and the council aren’t building any council houses, meaning the private sector will need to take up the slack.

Rightmove reported tenant demand grew by a third in May 2020 when compared to the same month in 2019.

Therefore, if you are still unsure about becoming a landlord, knowing that more people want to rent should help you feel more comfortable as the risk of ‘running out’ of renters interested in your Derby or Burton-on-Trent property is minimal. Yet again, please don’t go buying any old property, as it’s fundamental that you make a good investment from the start in order to see a good return on your investment.

If property values do fall in 2021 (as in 2009), tenant demand for rental property will only go up.

Fourth, the Government reduced stamp duty with the sole aim to benefit the property market. The purchase needs to complete by the end of March 2021, which means you will need to have bought the property by November at the latest as obtaining finance and legal work is taking at least 18 weeks.

A word to the wise though, that whilst the saving in Stamp Duty delivers some up-front saving for those buying a buy a let property, don’t get carried away and use that saving in the purchase price you pay. Certain sectors of the property market are seeing some very inflated prices, meaning if you go into battle for a show home quality semi-detached house within a stone’s throw of the best school, you will be fighting against buyers who want it for themselves and are prepared to pay top dollar for it, meaning some landlords could end up paying more for a property. My advice, if you want to save on the Stamp Duty, there are bargains to be had – you just have to know what you are looking for again, as mentioned in point 1 – we are always here to help on that whether you are a client of ours or not. The other option would be ‘just hold back’ until after 31 March 2021, when property prices could ease.

Fifth, reports that the mortgage lenders are imposing stricter conditions are true, yet even during Covid, many lenders are seeing buy-to-let landlords as a safer option to lend their money to. In June alone, the number of buy-to-let mortgage products rose by 19.2% to just over 1,700 meaning if you have a decent deposit of 30% upwards, you are likely to find something that fits your needs (at the time of writing this article, the Birmingham Midshires had a buy-to-let 5-year fixed rate mortgage at 1.94% and Santander at 2.04% … this is cheap money in anyone’s language).

Mortgage rates are ever becoming more economical, which is a great motivation for anyone wanting to get a foot on the buy-to-let property ladder.

Finally, words cannot portray the feeling of being able to see and touch one’s investment like the sensation of bricks and mortar.

Buy-to-let investment has to be seen as a long-term investment yet, for many, that is a source of financial security. Of course property values might go south next year… but they might not! Whereas there may be intervals where it’s more problematic to sell because property values will be too low, as is normally the situation throughout a recession, there will also be times where landlords will make a nice profit when selling their buy-to-let homes. Like all things in life – it’s all about the timing.

For example, Burton-on-Trent property values are 177% higher than 20 years ago!

If you’re looking to invest but are not interested in stocks and shares, then the buy-to-let market in Derby or Burton-on-Trent could be for you.

My Conclusion

Buying the right property at the right price to start with, presenting the property in the best way to get the best tenant, fully checking out and referencing the tenant to ensure they have a good track record of being a good tenant that doesn’t trash the property and has always paid the rent on time in the past and then finally, managing the property to ensure your property complies with the 200+ legislations and regulations of rental property, so you can sleep well at night … all to ensure the property is returned at the end of the tenancy to you in good order is what nirvana looks like.

Of course, buy-to-let does come with some risks and challenges, but it’s all about mitigating those risks. Also, there is no denying that buy-to-let also comes with a lot of opportunities as well.

If you are a landlord with another agent or even a landlord that manages the property themselves, feel free to drop me a message, email or pick up the phone and let’s chat about your personal goals when it comes to buy-to-let … because what have you got to lose? Surely 15/20 minutes of your time to get great insight and inside track is worth it?

Remember, the choice is yours!

Simon can be contacted on 07977 235545