Scottish Landlords To Challenge Tax 

Many private landlords in Scotland could be forced out of the market if tax relief on buy-to-let mortgages is reduced, according to the SAL.

Chancellor George Osborne announced tax plans during his Budget speech in July. He also wants to replace the current 'wear and tear' depriciation allowance for items such as furntiture. Members of the Scottish Association of Landlords will meet with Treasury representatives to urge a rethink. They claim the changes will significantly increase costs and result in reduced investment and upgrading of properties, or some landlords exiting the market altogether. 
 
SAL Chief Executive, John Blackwood said: “Even the numbers put forward by The Treasury, which claim only 1 in 5 landlords will be affected by the tax changes, represents a huge swathe of the sector.  We believe, when taking the changes to ‘wear and tear’ in to account, the actual number will be a lot higher.”
 
“We have heard just last week in the press from a landlord in Edinburgh about how these tax changes will make it harder for families on benefits to find accommodation in the private sector, increasing demand on council housing which is already over-subscribed across Scotland.”
 
“Both SAL and our members are in favour of ensuring the highest possible standards in the sector and are working with the Scottish Government to achieve that but these measures could see landlords forced to pass at least some of the burden on to tenants in the shape of increased rent which they don’t want to do.”