Tax threats and red tape are squeezing the life out of the rental sector Source Daily Telegraph 12/10/24 Link Landlord profits have collapsed in the past decade following an onslaught of taxes and red tape, analysis reveals. Today, Telegraph Money is launching a campaign calling on the Government to end the war on property investors and put a stop to further meddling that risks driving decent landlords out of the market. Years of hostile taxes and tightening red tape have forced investors out, exacerbating the housing shortage and pushing up rents. A London landlord in the higher rate income tax band would have made £2,200 profit on a £500,000 property with a 75pc LTV two-year fixed buy-to-let mortgage in 2013, according to analysis from estate agents Hamptons. In 2024, the same landlord would have made a £1,300 loss despite near-identical mortgage rates. As a result, supply to the rental market has stalled. Landlords have sold 300,000 more properties than they bought since 2016. Mea
The party lost a further four seats in a wave of 20 council by-elections this week pushing the total to 11 since September Source - Daily Telegraph 12/10/24 Link Labour endured another smattering of defeats at the ballot box this week after a wave of 20 council by-elections were held on Thursday. The governing party endured a net loss of four seats in a series of local contests held across the UK. Conservatives gained two seats from Labour while the Liberal Democrats and Greens took a seat each from them. The by-elections took place across the south, north and midlands, as well as Scotland and Wales. The Sunday Telegraph reported last week that Labour had haemorrhaged 11 council seats in by-elections since September. Although council by-elections tend to have lower turnouts than parliamentary elections, and can be more easily swayed by local issues, senior Labour figures are gearing up for England-wide local elections in May 2025. These elections, for 30 English councils and two new co