But measure to abolish the duty for those buying homes via a shared ownership scheme for less than £500k is only major housing policy shift in the budget.
Philip Hammond today made a much-expected move to help first-time buyers after abolishing stamp duty if they buy homes worth less than £500,000 via a shared ownership scheme, costing the government £5 million.
Effective from today onwards, it will also be applied retrospectively and backdated to November 2017.
HOUSING FUND
The Chancellor also revealed that the government will provide a further £500m for its housing infrastructure fund, which will unlock 650,000 homes. Other measures announced today include a new Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme to run from 2021 until 2023 but only for first time buyers, and a consultation on a 1% extra Stamp Duty charge for non-residents buying homes in the UK.
The government is also to continue its attack on landlords, who will soon have the amount of capital gains tax Lettings Relief given to them for renting out their properties reduced. Only those who share their home with a tenant will not face a reduced relief when they sell.
HOLIDAY LETS
Hammond also addressed the short-lets industry, announcing a consultation on how Airbnb properties should be treated by HMRC; as commercial entities that should pay business rates or private homes that pay council tax.
The Chancellor also revealed a plan to bolster high streets with a £650 million fund and a one-third cut in business rates for shops with a rateable value under £51,000, which may be applicable to a small number of sales and lettings agents.
One expected announcement was not made – to offer landlords the opportunity to sell their homes without paying capital gains tax if they offer the property to a sitting tenant. It was also expected that Hammond would support a campaign to improve tenant creditworthiness and their access to affordable home loans promoted by fellow Conservative MP Justine Greening, but this failed to materialise.
INDUSTRY RESPONSES
“As expected, the Government has chosen to turn its back on addressing the current housing crisis and has instead deployed yet more cheap magic tricks and white rabbits in an attempt to divert our attention,” says Russell Quirk, CEO of eMoov (right).
Kevin Roberts, Director, Legal & General Mortgage Club *(left), says: “The Government clearly recognises the benefits of Shared Ownership as a genuine option for individuals, couples and families who want to become homeowners.
“Hopefully, this exemption will now bring about even more awareness of the scheme and make it as widely recognised as other high-profile tenures such as Help to Buy.”
David Westgate, Group Chief Executive at Andrews Property Group, (right) says: “News that Stamp Duty would be abolished for all first-time buyers of shared ownership properties up to £500k should be welcomed. I’ve made no secret of my views on how punitive Stamp Duty charges have exacerbated an already sluggish market and any move that will lessen the impact felt by purchasers is good news.
“It doesn’t, however, go far enough and I maintain the view that a complete and thorough review of Stamp Duty is required. Such a review would result in radical change and whilst that might mean lower individual receipts in to the Exchequer, the impact it would have on overall volumes would at least cancel that out.”
From the negotiator.co.uk
source https://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/10/29/budget-2018-first-time-buyers-given-extra-stamp-duty-exemption-boost/
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