WIREDGOV

Growth in the number of short-term lets across the country is a symptom of skewed policy that favours holiday homes over long-term properties to rent.

A new report published recently (31 January 2020) by ARLA Propertymark suggests that nearly half a million properties could be left unavailable for longer-term rent as more landlords exit the market and in favour of short-term lettings.

The RLA argues this is in large part because the tax system favours holiday homes over the provision of long-term homes for private rent. 

Whilst the government has almost completed the process of restricting mortgage interest relief for landlords to the basic rate of income tax, this measure does not apply to furnished holiday lets.  

Inconsistent

David Smith, policy director for the RLA, recently said:

“Today’s report highlights how inconsistent the government’s approach to the rental market now is. 

“On the one hand the Ministry of Housing wants to encourage more landlords to offer properties to tenants on a long-term basis. 

“On the other hand, the Treasury has a tax system which makes renting out holiday homes more appealing at a time when demand for homes to rent is outstripping supply.

“What we need is a tax system that supports and encourages the majority of hardworking landlords doing a good job to provide the long-term, quality rental accommodation tenants desperately need. We call on the Chancellor to do this in his forthcoming budget.”