Decline in foreign investment in buy-to-let according to Countrywide

Countrywide’s latest  Monthly Letting Index – June 2017 headlines  ‘Proportion of overseas landlord’s halves.’

Rents rose 1.1% year-on-year across Great Britain in June to stand at £950 pcm

The letting index report shows that the proportion of overseas based landlords in Great Britain hit a record low in 2017,  now owning 5% of all homes let in Great Britain, down from 12% in 2010. London has seen the biggest fall in the proportion of homes owned by overseas landlords, from 26% in 2010 to 11% in 2017.

Commenting on the findings, Johnny Morris, Research Director at Countrywide, said:

“The growth of the private rented sector since 2010 has not been driven by overseas investors.  A steady increase in foreign investors’ tax bills combined with more recent falling expectations of price growth in London has led to a decline in foreign investment in buy-to-let.

“As well as having to contend with increased stamp duty and the annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED), overseas investors also saw the removal of capital gains tax exemptions in 2015.

“Rental growth remained at 1.1% in June.  Falls in London were off-set by higher growth across the rest of the country.  The fall in the capital was driven by lower rents in the outer areas of London as the ripple effect from falling rents in Central London continues.”

Read  Countrywide’s latest  Monthly Letting Index – June 2017 in full click here.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

London rents outperform property values

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that rental growth has outperformed house price growth across 26 of London’s 32 boroughs since the start of the year, with rents continuing to climb despite weaker property price performance across much of the capital. Benham and Reeves analysed the average…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental property availability falls

The number of rental properties available across England fell by 12.1% during the third quarter of 2026, according to new analysis by Dwelly, highlighting an increasingly competitive rental market in many parts of the country. Dwelly is one of the UK’s largest rental property management groups, with more than 15,000 properties under management. The firm’s…
Read More →
Breaking News

Average advertised rents surpass £1,400 for the first time

The average advertised rent of homes outside London has risen to a new record of £1,418 per calendar month, up 1.5% this quarter: Despite a new record rent, annual rental growth has returned to a more stable level of +2.4% Number of available rental homes nationally is 2% lower than a year ago, while renter…
Read More →
Breaking News

Barclays unlocks wider mortgage access for company directors

Limited company directors who meet the income threshold can now have their Profit After Tax (PAT) considered in their affordability assessment regardless of property value The change means that, for a wider group of limited company directors, Barclays will consider a fuller view of the applicant’s income The update is the latest in a series…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand fall in Q3

The latest sales demand data from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q3 2026. The analysis shows that just five counties managed positive growth during the quarter, suggesting that buyers may be holding back, adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of what promises to be a vital Autumn Budget –…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost

‘Don’t get caught short’ warning to homeowners from valuations experts – alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost Properties change over time. Homeowners may add an extension, upgrade a kitchen or bathroom, alter the layout, or even change how the building is used, but when do those changes mean it’s time for a new rebuild…
Read More →