We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

buy to let and leasehold

I am considering a buy to let and as I understand you have two ways of the investment rewarding you:

1. capital increase
2. monthly profit from rent after all costs

The question I have, is if the lease is under 80 years and starts to affect the property value, will this cause a problem?

For example the property value could fall, but the loan (interest only) will stay the same. Therefore it could go into negative equity?

One way to avoid this could be to have a repayment mortgage, however the disadvantage would be less interest to set against the taxable income.

Is there any way of making it work, or is the only answer to extend the lease?

Comments

  • With a leasehold it's not a matter of the property value could fall, it will. The longer the lease-extension is held off the more expensive it will become.

    If you're not planning to still be alive in 80 years time and have no dependents who you're interested in leaving your assets to, lease-length is of no consequence.
  • chrishar
    chrishar Posts: 178 Forumite
    thanks, so it is only worth worrying about if you plan to sell at some point?

    would it be possible then that someone dies with a flat worth hardly anything with 5 years left on the lease, but still have a £100,000 interest only mortgage for example? if they kept payments up and were on a standard variable rate?
  • would it be possible then that someone dies with a flat worth hardly anything with 5 years left on the lease, but still have a £100,000 interest only mortgage for example? if they kept payments up and were on a standard variable rate?

    If it was a 25 year mortgage no lender would lend on a lease with 30 years left!
    RICHARD WEBSTER

    As a retired conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful assuming any properties concerned are in England/Wales but I accept no liability for it.
  • chrishar
    chrishar Posts: 178 Forumite
    so is there an expiry date on a buy to let mortgage? it doesn't just go up to a higher rate indefinitely after a fixed deal?

    how can you know if you may want to sell at any point in the 80 years? is it always best to extend the lease asap then.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Lenders will not lend on leases shorter than.... hmm ... I'm not a mortgage expert, but around 70 years?

    But yes, as leases get shorter, their value drops (as does their saleability). So you must factor this into your business plan.

    You do have a business plan......?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 601.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.7K Life & Family
  • 259.6K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.