The proportion of landlords intending to take out commercial loans to fund their property purchases has doubled over the last 18 months as they look for ways to avoid the impact of forthcoming changes to landlord taxation.
The research from the National Landlords Association (NLA) shows that the proportion of landlords who said they planned to use commercial loans has risen from 10% in July 2015 – when the changes to taxation were first announced – to 19% at the end of last year.
The changes to taxation will take place from April this year and, once fully phased in by 2021, will prevent landlords with buy-to-let mortgages from deducting their interest payments or any other finance-related costs from their turnover before declaring their taxable income.
The rise in the proportion of landlords looking to take out commercial loans coincides with a 500% increase in the proportion of landlords who have formed a limited company over the last year. This has risen from 1% in January 2016 – approximately 20,000 landlords – to 6% by the end of 2016 – approximately 120,000 landlords.
Landlords who own their properties as a limited company will avoid the changes to taxation and instead pay Corporation Tax – currently 20% – on their profits alone.
Richard Lambert, chief executive officer at the NLA, said: “Over the last year more than one hundred thousand landlords have formed a limited company in order to beat the tax changes, and this overlaps with an increasing intention to look to commercial loans to fund future purchases.
“While commercial loans are available to non-incorporated landlords they tend to be a source of funding more commonly used by limited companies looking to expand their property portfoilos, so we’d expect to see this trend develop as the year plays out.
“However, we know that the Treasury is concerned by the drop in tax revenues as a result of businesses across the economy incorporating to reduce their tax bills, and the Chancellor hinted at a review into the matter durig his Autumn Statement last year.
“With this government’s recent track record in mind, we’d advise any landlords who have yet to incorporate to wait to see whether a consultation is launched in the Budget before making a decision.”