YouGov Poll: Twice as many people support buy-to-let tax hike than oppose it
The recent hike in the stamp duty levy for buy-to-let landlords was met with fierce opposition from landlord groups when it came into force on 1 April.
However, according to YouGov survey released today, more than twice the number of UK adults were in favour of the three per cent surcharge than those who opposed it.
The poll, conducted for HomeOwners Alliance and BLP Insurance, showed that 49 per cent supported the policy and 18 per cent opposed it, while the rest were neutral (20 per cent) or said they didn’t know (15 per cent).
Those who supported the policy, which was first announced in George Osborne’s Autumn Budget, said the measures are a good way to level the playing field between those buying a home to live in and those making an investment purchase.
The poll also found that stamp duty reforms introduced at the end of 2014 which replaced the slab structure of tax with a progressive stamp duty tax were also well-received with one third (33 per cent) saying the reforms make buying their first home or moving up the ladder more affordable according to the 2015 Homeowner Survey.
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HomeOwners Alliance chief executive, Paula Higgins, said: “The British public believe that homes are for living in and not speculating with. The stamp duty surcharge might be bad for landlords but it will allow more young people to realise their dream of owning the roof over their head.
Kim Vernau, chief executive of BLP Insurance said: “The current government policy in respect of stamp duty is clearly supporting first time buyers to access the market, which is a positive. The downside is the fact that this impacts adversely on those who cannot afford to raise a deposit and have to rent.