• New Surrenden Invest mortgage and stamp duty calculators to provide financial clarity
• Number of landlords in UK at record high of 2.5 million
• Average properties per landlord has risen to 1.8 homes each (Ludlow Thompson)

Over the past five years, the number of landlords in the UK has increased by 27%. Not only are there more landlords, by they are buying more properties – an average of 1.8 properties each, according to Ludlow Thompson. For the last tax year, when the government’s 3% Stamp Duty levy for second home owners was in full force, and mortgage interest tax relief was on its way out, landlord numbers rose to a record high of 2.5 million.

“The UK property market represents such an outstanding investment opportunity that domestic and overseas investors have been undeterred by tax hikes and Brexit alike. Landlord numbers continue to rise, and the latest addition of 1% more Stamp Duty for foreign investors is unlikely to make much difference. The market fundamentals are strong enough to withstand it – ultimately, the UK property market remains a place where investors can make healthy returns in both the medium and the long term.”

 Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

Given the continuing keen interest in UK property, particularly in regional cities, specialist property investment agency Surrenden Invest is encouraging potential investors to consider the true cost of buy to let property. Their aim is to ensure that potential investors have clarity on all of the costs involved – not just the cost of having a buy to let mortgage.

“Buy to let mortgages are just one of the costs involved in investing in buy to let – there are also legal fees, the cost of furnishing the property, service charges and ground rent for new build developments, management fees and, of course, Stamp Duty Land Tax. It’s only after investors have taken all of these into account that they can work out their returns.”

 Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

While the long list of fees might seem off-putting, investors with a keen eye for a good deal can cut costs while still investing in high end homes. At The Tannery in Liverpool, for example, apartments are available from £85,000. That means that investors pay only the lowest rate of Stamp Duty, as the cost of the home is well below the £125,000 threshold of the first band. Investors at Westminster Works in Birmingham, meanwhile, have the option of selecting stylish David Phillips furniture packs. Doing so can offer a significant cost saving compared with choosing comparable furnishings from high street suppliers, and also cuts out the cost in the investor’s time of having to furnish the apartment.

Other costs are simply part and parcel of the investment, such as service charges and ground rent. Management fees can potentially be avoided, though for many new build investment opportunities, the management company arrangements are a core part of the deal. And even when they are not, those looking for hands off investment opportunities often find that the drag on their time as a result of managing the property directly soon means that they are happy to bear the small cost of using a professional management company.

Again with financial clarity for investors in mind, the Surrenden Invest team have just announced the addition of mortgage and stamp duty calculators to their website. The new functionality will be available in the next few weeks, as the company seeks to provide investors with the right tools to aid their understanding of the true cost of buy to let.

“Investing in buy to let homes in the UK is a fantastic opportunity. We want to ensure that investors have the time to consider the financial implications of doing so at their leisure. The stamp duty and mortgage cost calculators on the Surrenden Invest website are one way in which we are enabling that.”

 Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499