The Tories are afraid.

Very afraid.

It’s taken them a while to realise that when Labour are polling 18% ahead of them, something is amiss. Moreover, the results of the three by-elections speak for themselves and MPs in precarious seats are updating their CVs. No wonder the Conservatives are grubbing around for scraps they can throw the Electorate. One such tasty morsel is that of ditching inheritance Tax.

Described by Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 – 2003) as ”…a voluntary levy paid by those who distrust their heirs more than they dislike the Inland Revenue” it’s routinely cited by Conservative voters as the least popular tax (as if there was ever such a thing as a desirable one).

It ranks somewhere below a bout of dysentery and being trapped in a lift with Rachel Reeves. Kicking its sorry backside to the economic kerb would mark Rishi’s Reprobates out as proper conservatives that allow us mere citizens to keep our own money – now there’s a radical idea.

A Loathsome Predator

The loathsome predator attacks its victims twice over. John O’Connell chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance commented that the ‘death tax’ was “…unfair, unpopular and immoral and has a detrimental impact on economic decision-making through an endless list of exemptions”.

Australia, New Zealand and Israel have already ditched their hated IHT, realising that it crimps middle-class aspirations and just sends entrepreneurs and wealth scuttling off somewhere more agreeable.

While those countries are ‘getting on with it’ economically, the Tories have been chewing over the idea since 2019, when Sajid Javid hinted that scrapping IHT was “…on his mind”. Well, that’s nice.

Frankly, we’ve been down that platitudinous path before, because like nuclear fusion, time travel and the revocation of Stamp Duty, those four years haven’t arrived. It remains to be seen whether the Tories will deliver, or whether it’s an empty manifesto bribe.

Majoring in on Minor Things

It seems the government is majoring in minor things. What’s wrong with the ability of families being able to leave their estate to their beneficiaries so that the money can be used to buy property, or anything else they fancy? The innumerate Treasury would earn considerable taxes on this consumption and will recoup some of this lost tax as the capital re-circulates into the system. At only £7 billion in receipts, the tax is barely enough to cover Therese Coffey’s cigar money and getting rid of it would earn the government a host of ‘likes’.

For example, Glentree is dealing with a number of elderly people who have sold their family house and are choosing to rent an alternative home on a long-term basis, to avoid the grievous financial harm of IHT.

The quid pro quo of giving away any tax-free capital growth (if there is any) is that the upkeep of this property becomes the responsibility of the landlord. More importantly, it keeps any private, hard-earned wealth out of the thieving hands of the next Labour Party, who like all good socialists, want to tax everything at a minimum of 100%.

By these people not purchasing an alternative property, the Exchequer is denied Stamp Duty. However, if there was no Inheritance tax this circumnavigation would not occur in the first place. It seems that whoever is Chancellor needs a Laffer Curve wrapped around their neck and pulled tight.

Raising the Threshold

Another idea is to raise the threshold that triggers Inheritance Tax from the £650,000 (for a couple) so that only the super-wealthy have to empty one of their offshore accounts.  This would rake in more readies for HMRC and would please the baying mob of lefties that want to eat the rich for breakfast after stealing all their assets.

In fact, it was Boy George Osborne who did something right for once (literally) and tried to introduce this plan. Unfortunately, this was reversed in subsequent budgets as the Tories transitioned to Blaironomics.

Property Market Being Walloped

At present, the residential property market is being walloped by the interest-rate thugs at the Bank of England. The Old (and increasingly batty) Lady of Threadneedle Street has imposed no less than 12 consecutive rate increases this year, raising it to 4.5% in May 2023. Ominously, borrowing costs are now at a stratospheric level not seen since the 2008 property catastrophe.

Ordinary people are battling Interest Rate hikes and the dramatic rises of mortgage interest loans, so any mitigation of the IHT would be a welcome bonus. It might also keep a few Tory MPs in their jobs.

Sunak, you have been warned!

Will the UK’s real estate market suffer irrevocably in 2023? It is difficult to say; however, there is buzz that there could be a mild recession in the UK this year. And although house prices rose steeply in 2021 and most of 2022, the past few months have been witnessing a price dip.

What makes the situation more difficult for everyone in the real estate ecosystem is that –

– Interest rates have gone up, which translates to more expensive mortgages
– Inflation has risen, which translates to the lower spending power of people

How have house prices changed in the UK?

In 2021 and much of 2022, the pace of growth of house prices was much more than the post-2008 recession price inflation. However, this has dipped consistently over the last few months. As a result, the yearly growth rate is almost heading to zero.

How does a drop in house prices affect the real estate market?

In November 2022, the government was advised that house prices would fall by 9% in two years.

– However, since interest rates have significantly gone up, people cannot afford to borrow as much as they could previously. This means lower offers on houses and thus less demand. Lesser transactions and offers translate to a weaker real estate market.

– The immediate effect is on the people who are considering a move. While some prospective sellers will delay their sale, homeowners find themselves with less money to set aside for moving.

– If interest rates continue to be high, more people will have to shift from the current fixed-price mortgage to revised rates on the higher side. And when people find these unaffordable, they may decide to sell their properties.

– First-time buyers may find prices more affordable, thus making it easier for them to get on the property ladder. But getting an affordable mortgage could be a task.

– Homeowners may find themselves in negative equity because their borrowed amount could be higher than their property’s current value.

All this adds up to a more disturbing economic slowdown as people would feel financially insecure and end up saving more than spending.

Does the dip mean a house price crash?

In November 2022, the Bank of England hiked their interest rate by 0.75% to 3%, the biggest hike since 1989. Post the announcement of the mini-budget, there was speculation that the interest rate would be more than 6% this year. However, it is now expected to be less than 5%.

The pre-recession scenario was ripe with 100% mortgages and cashback offers. However, the recession led to extremely tight and stringent rules for mortgage lending.

For those who have enough savings built up, this could be the opportune time for homeownership. Due to rate cuts, buying a home would be more affordable. So if you are planning to buy a house or property, Glentree Estates can assist you.

Traditionally, people would keep renting till they save up enough to pay for the deposit when purchasing a property. However, with rents increasing by 12% as of December 2022, it may have become harder for prospective buyers to set aside money.

While owning a home is a dream for everyone, renting also comes with its share of benefits. Depending on personal circumstances, financial positions and priorities, both have advantages and disadvantages.

Either way, housing costs have witnessed a steep rise in the past year, with mortgage rates shooting up. As a result, prospective buyers and renters are weighing the pros and cons of getting the cheaper option.

What are the pros and cons of renting?

Although rental prices are increasing, buying may still be out of reach for most people despite the aid of government schemes. For them, renting a home might be more beneficial till they are in a better financial position to buy.

Advantages of renting

– A tenancy contract can be for as less as six months, which gives you the flexibility to move if it isn’t working out.
– You can consider a different kind of property or even an area.
– It’s easier to move out of a rented home.
– Maintenance costs are not your worry.
– You don’t have to spend on furniture if it’s a furniture space.
– There are no legal requirements or fees.

Disadvantages of renting

– Landlords can increase rent at every lease renewal point.
– Maintenance is not in your control, so repair work may take longer.
– Upfront costs would include the deposit and sometimes the rent for the first month, in addition to moving costs.
– If the landlord wants to sell the place and asks you to vacate, you have to do so.
– Getting a deposit refund from landlords may be a battle.
– The rent you pay doesn’t come back to you, as compared to mortgage payments, which add up to owning your own home.
– Any redecoration or changes can be done only after approval from the landlord.

What are the pros and cons of buying?

Even for those who can afford it, buying may seem more expensive from a short-term perspective. But in the long run, it outweighs the cost benefits of renting. As a ballpark timeframe, you could consider two years to be the tipping point when mortgage payments would be lesser than rent payments.

Advantages of buying

– Your home is your own, and you would not be at the mercy of a third person like a landlord.
– You can decorate or redecorate at your pace and convenience.
– Repair and maintenance would be quicker.
– Even though mortgage interest rates have increased, it’s still lower than renting.
– Once the mortgage period is over, you don’t have any more payments.
– It also becomes an investment. Based on property prices, if you want to sell and move to a better property, you can do so.

Disadvantages of buying

– Saving to make your deposit isn’t easy, especially since prices have gone up.
– Payments include mortgage and legal payments, and also stamp duty.
– Repairs and maintenance costs are recurring and lifelong expenses.
– The housing market situation and price movements will affect your home equity and hence affect you if you have to remortgage or sell your home.
– It may take months to sell property, irrespective of the market situation.
– Interest rates are going higher, which translates to higher mortgage payments too.

Please feel free to contact us at Glentree Estates, if you are interested in purchasing or renting a property in the United Kingdom.