Tag Archives: london
UK government launches consultation on buy to let regulation powers
The UK government has launched its promised consultation on the powers that the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee should have over the buy to let mortgage market. This consultation aims to gather views on how the operation of the nation’s buy to let mortgage market may carry risks to financial stability. It also seeks respondents’ opinions on the specific tools in relation to which the FPC has recommended it be granted powers of direction, including in their impact on business activity and prosperity, on the draft legislation, and on the consultation stage impact assessment. The consultation is primarily targeted at individuals, institutions and associated bodies that would be affected by the FPC’s powers of direction but the government said that it also welcomes the views of other parties interested in housing market policies. Following the consultation, the government will examine the consultation responses and use them to help to define the instrument that will place the powers in legislation. The government will set out how it intends to proceed in a consultation response document in 2016. It comes at a time when the private rented sector (PRS) has grown rapidly in recent years, from 2.5 million properties in 2002 to 5.2 million in 2013, from 10% of the market to 19% respectively. The government believes that the Bank of England should have more tools at its disposal to cool the buy to let market if necessary such as directing regulators to require lenders to place limits on buy to let lending. The amount buy to let investors could borrow as a proportion of the property price, or the loan to value ratio, could be capped or the Bank could also increase the required ratio of expected rental income to mortgage interest payments. Lenders are not fully supportive of more controls currently for the buy to let market and are warning that the market does not necessarily need more regulations and that new rules for by to let landlords, including an extra 3% stamp duty from April 2016, should be allowed to take effect. ‘We understand the rationale for putting the macro prudential tools at the Bank of England’s disposal, but also recognise that this does not necessarily mean they will be used. In our view, buy to let does not constitute a market that currently requires further macro prudential intervention, especially as the effect of several recent tax changes is yet to be fully felt and evaluated,’ said Council of Mortgage Lenders director general Paul Smee. ‘We urge policymakers to be mindful of the risk of unintended consequences that could adversely affect the private rented sector, alongside their focus on ensuring that the buy to let market does not pose a threat to financial stability,’ he added. Peter Williams, executive director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, suggested that the industry is confused by what the government is trying to do. ‘In the autumn the Chancellor, in giving evidence to the Treasury… Continue reading
Property sales have fallen by up to 46% in parts of Dubai in last two years
Some parts of Dubai have seen residential property sales fall by more than 40% in the last two year but looking ahead the market is set to pick up in 2016. Reports from the Unitas Consultancy and Reidin show that house sales in Dubai Marina, for example, fell to less than 1,500 in the first three quarters of 2015 compared to 2,250 during the same period in 2014, and down from 2,700 in 2013, a fall of 46%. In Downtown Dubai the number of sales fell to 500 compared with 800 in 2014 and 750 in 2013, a 30% drop over two years and in the Greens the drop was around 42%, according to data from Reidin. In Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) sales were flat in 2015 at 1,200 but down 31% from 1,600 in 2013, but the company said that the pace of decline in the same areas appeared to be slowing in the third quarter of 2015 and in some areas there has been a slight uptick. For example, in JLT, there were around 400 transactions in the third quarter of 2015 compared with 390 in the same period last year but down from 600 in 2013 while in Downtown there were around 190 sales in the third quarter of this year, higher than 180 recorded in 2014 but still down on 210 in 2013. However, in Dubai Marina there were around 400 transactions in the third quarter of this year, down from 450 the previous year and around 900 in 2013. The report points out that sales are down by a maximum of 46% and a minimum of 30%, however, a comparison between the third quarter of 2014 and 2015 show an uptick in activity by an average of 8% has been recorded. ‘This uptick is likely due to the fall in prices that have been witnessed in this segment and we believe that this trend in the market will continue as prices will soften further. The rise in transaction volumes also indicates market expectations that participants feel that the fall in the market prices may be nearing an end,’ it adds. The research also shows that sales in mid-priced properties in areas such as International City and Discovery Gardens have been more resilient since 2013, falling only 11% on average, compared to an overall average of 21% in high-end areas. The report also found mortgages accounted for a larger portion of sales in 2015 compared to previous years. ‘Mortgages are considered to be an indication of home ownership, which highlights the shift of the market from an investor based to an owner occupied one,’ the report pointed out. ‘However, there are instances where mortgage transactions outweigh sales, especially in the periods of a downturn implying a higher number of refinancing and other types of transaction taking place,’ it added. Continue reading
Peripheral areas in prime central London market set to help prices rise by 3% in 2016
Peripheral areas in central London such as Shoreditch, Kings Cross, Battersea and Shepherds Bush could be the new engine room of the London prime property market in 2016, it is suggested. These locations are likely to contribute to anticipated price growth of around 3% across prime London, according to an outlook analysis from boutique search agent Banda Property. It also suggests that strong competition among British home buyers for middle level housing in the £1million to £2 million price bracket will focus on outer central areas which offer quality flats and family houses with gardens, good schools, transport links and village amenities. Overall, the prime central London market is set to benefit from a surge in demand for investment properties early in the year as buy to let investors and second home buyers rush to beat the April deadline and avoid the new additional 3% stamp duty, the report explains. However, the firm expects that the numbers of new foreign buyers entering the market from Russia, the Middle East and Asia will be smaller than in 2015, as a result of higher costs and unfavourable exchange rates. But despite the Chancellor sending a negative message to investors with further stamp duty increases, Britain is still regarded as the best in Europe if not the world for real estate investment thanks to its tolerant and secure society, stable economy, transparent financial and legal systems and world class education ensuring it remains an attractive option for internationals seeking somewhere to live. ‘If the effects of the last stamp duty rise are anything to go by, we may well see a surge in activity as second home buyers and investors try to close before April. This will temper potential annual capital growth to the relatively moderate level of 3% overall and value will become more important than ever,’ said Louisa Brodie, head of search and acquisitions at Banda Property. ‘I’m confident that the London property market is resilient, as demonstrated this year, when despite hugely negative press and challenging regulation changes, the market has slowed but still remains an attractive proposition to buyers with a long term view,’ she explained. ‘British homebuyers will dominate in 2016, buying up good value properties in the peripheral ring around the prime locations. They are broadening their horizons beyond the obvious areas such as Chelsea and Belgravia, looking instead to places such as Battersea, Kings Cross and Clerkenwell as well as Shepherds Bush and Ealing in the west, in order to secure more square footage for their money,’ she pointed out. ‘With the key sections of Crossrail coming into operation by 2018, we will see particularly strong growth along the corridors of operation in the coming year,’ she added. Continue reading
