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!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Help! switch to BTL or sell up?!

Hi all, thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some well-needed advice on the below.

Background:
My partner and I are currently in the process of buying a house together, after having lived in my flat for a number of years. As part of buying the new property, I had initially decided to also keep hold of my flat - switching it over to a buy-to-let mortgage for the purpose of renting it out. The flat is in a well-sought area, with potential for good rental income (c.£1100K p/m) and potential for appreciation over some time. 

The Issue:
In having calculated the estimated monthly returns from rental, I naively forgot to add tax into the equation. Now having considered this, it has dwindled my possible returns as it will take me into the 40% tax band for the majority of the proceeds. After all costs (mortgage, service charges, tax), I now predict to make c.£300-400 p/m profit. This of course does not take into account any months that the property is without a tenant, nor any maintenance that might be required (minimal as is a 4-year-old flat).

It should also be noted, the money retained in the flat is not needed in the next couple of years and is there to be invested. However, I do not have a diversified investment portfolio and the majority of my money would be tied up in property if I were to go forward with the above.

For any more experienced heads out there, does this seem like a worthy investment given the current climate? 

Thank you!
«1

Comments

  • IamWood
    IamWood Posts: 447 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Don't forget the extra 3% charge of the stamp duty on your second house if you keep your current flat.
  • canaldumidi
    canaldumidi Posts: 3,511 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Post 7: New landlords (1):advice & information :see links in next post

    Post 8: New landlords (2): Essential links for further information

    Post 9: Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?
  • IamWood said:
    Don't forget the extra 3% charge of the stamp duty on your second house if you keep your current flat.
    @IamWood Thanks but I understand that as I will be replacing my main place of residence, I will not incur the higher rate stamp duty. Please correct me if I'm wrong though!
  • Post 7: New landlords (1):advice & information :see links in next post

    Post 8: New landlords (2): Essential links for further information

    Post 9: Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?
    Thanks @cana@canaldumidi, very helpful :-)
  • IamWood
    IamWood Posts: 447 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 24 January 2022 at 1:14PM
    GS1228 said:
    IamWood said:
    Don't forget the extra 3% charge of the stamp duty on your second house if you keep your current flat.
    @IamWood Thanks but I understand that as I will be replacing my main place of residence, I will not incur the higher rate stamp duty. Please correct me if I'm wrong though!
    Which is not what I understand. I think you might have to pay the extra regardless as it was your resident home. Can someone here clarify that?
  • DE_612183
    DE_612183 Posts: 4,203 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    GS1228 said:
    IamWood said:
    Don't forget the extra 3% charge of the stamp duty on your second house if you keep your current flat.
    @IamWood Thanks but I understand that as I will be replacing my main place of residence, I will not incur the higher rate stamp duty. Please correct me if I'm wrong though!

    Yes, you are wrong.
    You currently own 1 property. After you and partner purchase new house you will own 2 properties. You are not selling (replacing) your main residence.
    The additional 3% will apply
    Anyone know if this 3% extra is the same for Wales? I'm planning on renting out my current main residence and then buying a new property to live in?
    Thanks ( Ps sorry to hijack thread! )
  • Dave46049 said:
    GS1228 said:
    IamWood said:
    Don't forget the extra 3% charge of the stamp duty on your second house if you keep your current flat.
    @IamWood Thanks but I understand that as I will be replacing my main place of residence, I will not incur the higher rate stamp duty. Please correct me if I'm wrong though!

    Yes, you are wrong.
    You currently own 1 property. After you and partner purchase new house you will own 2 properties. You are not selling (replacing) your main residence.
    The additional 3% will apply
    Anyone know if this 3% extra is the same for Wales? I'm planning on renting out my current main residence and then buying a new property to live in?
    Thanks ( Ps sorry to hijack thread! )
    Yes it's the same for Wales but it's worse as it's land transaction tax and the band's are lower than England, making the amount due significantly higher...
    There is a calculator on the Welsh government website. 

    You are getting another house and not replacing your main residence. Unless you sell it you will have to pay the extra tax.
  • GS1228 said:
    Hi all, thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some well-needed advice on the below.

    Background:
    My partner and I are currently in the process of buying a house together, after having lived in my flat for a number of years. As part of buying the new property, I had initially decided to also keep hold of my flat - switching it over to a buy-to-let mortgage for the purpose of renting it out. The flat is in a well-sought area, with potential for good rental income (c.£1100K p/m) and potential for appreciation over some time. 

    The Issue:
    In having calculated the estimated monthly returns from rental, I naively forgot to add tax into the equation. Now having considered this, it has dwindled my possible returns as it will take me into the 40% tax band for the majority of the proceeds. After all costs (mortgage, service charges, tax), I now predict to make c.£300-400 p/m profit. This of course does not take into account any months that the property is without a tenant, nor any maintenance that might be required (minimal as is a 4-year-old flat).

    It should also be noted, the money retained in the flat is not needed in the next couple of years and is there to be invested. However, I do not have a diversified investment portfolio and the majority of my money would be tied up in property if I were to go forward with the above.

    For any more experienced heads out there, does this seem like a worthy investment given the current climate? 

    Thank you!
    Rental is more about the long term gains. That is a good return on the rent, but you need to plan to keep it 10 years really to make a good return on sale price.
  • SDLT_Geek
    SDLT_Geek Posts: 3,045 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Dave46049 said:

    Anyone know if this 3% extra is the same for Wales? I'm planning on renting out my current main residence and then buying a new property to live in?
    Thanks ( Ps sorry to hijack thread! )
    Yes it's the same for Wales but it's worse as it's land transaction tax and the band's are lower than England, making the amount due significantly higher...
    There is a calculator on the Welsh government website. 

    You are getting another house and not replacing your main residence. Unless you sell it you will have to pay the extra tax.
    It is an additional 4% in Wales, 3% in England if the previous property is retained.
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
  • 354.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.3K Life & Family
  • 261.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K 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.