Buy-to-let property is still an attractive investment at a time of low interest rates and volatile stock markets, according to according to Allsop’s latest issue of the Rent Check, a barometer for the rental market in England and Wales published with BDRC Continental.
Investment in buy-to-let has outperformed all major asset classes in recent years, and despite widespread concerns that various measures introduced by the government to curb the growth of buy-to-let landlords will end the buy-to-let windfall, many landlords believe that the sector remains a safe long-term bet.
A survey of over 1,500 landlords across England and Wales revealed that 37% of landlords anticipate growing rents over the next six months, a year-on-year increase of 36%, while 44% of landlords had ‘good’ or ‘very good’ expectations for their own letting portfolio over the next three months.
Paul Winstanley, partner at Allsop, said: “For those with equity to invest, buy-to-let returns still have the potential to outstrip savings accounts over the long term. Whilst tax changes and toughening lending criteria is challenging landlords, most are in it for the long term and we still only expect a small minority to exit as the tax changes feed through.”
For each region, the Rent Check has calculated the estimated annual return for three, five and ten year periods after tax for basic rate 20% tax payers and 40% tax payers, and has analysed rental yields, house price growth and running, finance and legal costs.
For this analysis, variables applied included borrowing based on a 145% rent cover at an assumption of 5.25% interest rate, a five-year fixed term mortgage at an interest rate of 3.25% and 4.5% for the remainder of the term and running costs of 25% of income.
Using Office for Budget Responsibility national forecasts for wage growth and house prices, the top performing regions for indicative returns are the East Midlands and Yorkshire, with returns of 11.25% per annum over a five-year period for a 20% tax payer, and a still significant, 9% per annum for a 40% tax payer.
Winstanley added: “With no quick solutions to the housing crisis, long-term private landlords providing decent accommodation will continue to play an important role in housing our population. As long as there are no new tax rises targeting landlords, buy-to-let will remain a stable and attractive sector for long-term investors.”
It is encouraging to see buy to let is still an attractive investment opporrtunity for many. Furthermore, it is great to see East Midlands and Yorkshire being mentioned as the top performing regions. We have long term experience, and local offices, in both regions and have been strongly recommending these regions over the past few years. Please do call and speak to one of our staff about investment opportunities and we would be delighted to help you.