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Lib Dem manifesto presents a  mixed bag for BTL landlords

The Liberal Democrats have launched their 2019 election manifesto, which sets out the polices the party aims to introduce should it win the general election next month. 

The document contains pledges on a variety of subjects. But it is the party’s housing policy that many buy-to-let landlords will be interested in. 

The Lib Dems will aim to tackle the housing crisis with tax changes, government-backed loans, and a housebuilding programme.

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The party has pledged to build 300,000 new homes a year, which is the existing, target for England, while for tenants, there are plans to help with up-front deposit costs through a Help to Rent loan for all first-time renters under 30.

David Smith, policy director for the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), commented: “We welcome the Liberal Democrats’ plans to support younger tenants in accessing rented housing with a deposit loan scheme. This is a policy we have long been calling for and believe it could considerably improve prospects for younger people.” 

The RLA also supports the party’s proposals to end the Local Housing Allowance Cap as well as ending the hostile environment for immigration, which Smith describes as “welcome steps” and reflect proposals put forward by the RLA in its own manifesto for the PRS. 

 

But the Lib Dems’ manifesto contains a number of pledges with both positive and negative implications for landlords, including proposals for three-year tenancies with rent increases linked to inflation.

Smith continued: “It is bizarre to be proposing this when the average length tenants have been in their properties is over four years and when private rents are increasing by less than inflation according to the Office for National Statistics.” 

Smith also believes that the party’s plans for a blanket licensing scheme for landlords needs “further thought”. 

He added: “The crooks will simply not come forward, leaving the good landlords to pick up the tab for what would be a costly waste of time.”

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    Anyone who votes for the 'say anything if they think it'll win votes' party needs their heads testing!

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    That's pretty much all the main political parties then!

     
    Suzy OShea

    Would that also apply to the CONservative party?

     
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    • 21 November 2019 12:27 PM

    The hostile environment for illegal immigrants is nowhere near hostile enough.
    It needs to be made a lot more hostile!!
    There seems little political will to get rid of the over 1.7 million illegal immigrants in the UK.
    Getting rid of them will leave a lot of empty accommodation!

  • phil dillon

    I would love to see a portal on this site for LL to ask questions and for those questions to be forwarded to the relevant org.. Example , I have just watched JC launch his Manifesto and once again he rubbishes the PRS. He does acknowledge that there are 11m homes in the PRS however there are no words of support for the sector only controls , rent caps etc. Interestingly it also mentions an opportunity for Councils to buy properties from the PRS (I imagine this would then count as a new Council property in their targets)perhaps this will give us all an opportunity to get out quickly, even better if he reduces CGT to encourage the sales. SO What is BJ going to do, say the same or support the PRS I WANT SOMEONE TO ASK HIM.

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    • 23 November 2019 17:05 PM

    I would welcome Councils buying property from LL for use as social housing.
    They would be overwhelmed with LL wanting to sell!!
    Then all they have to do is ensure rent is paid to them and that they maintain the properties to the same standards they require of the PRS.
    So basically setting themselves to fail on both counts.
    I don't believe Govt truly understands how desperate LL are to leave the PRS.
    CGT is the massive impediment.
    If this could be reduced for sales to councils this could instantly increase social home provision with no new building required.
    Of course that would mean GR would not be able to buy those properties.
    So will it be social tenants who are prioritised over GR?
    A political conundrum!!??

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