ASK444: Is this Labour rumour true? PLUS: Does my refinancing plan work?
Sep 3, 2024
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This week dives into intriguing rumors about potential changes to landlord regulations by the Labour Party, including a French-style hardship test for renters. A listener considers a bold investment strategy of buying and refurbishing properties to refinance, sparking discussions on how banks assess mortgage applications. Key factors like rental income, property value, and personal credit history come into play, revealing interesting insights for both seasoned investors and newcomers.
08:21
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The Labour rental reform bill is uncertain, potentially incorporating elements from past proposals that could challenge landlords with new hardship tests.
When refinancing an investment property, lenders assess property value and consider factors like rental income, credit history, and personal income levels.
Deep dives
Potential Changes to Rental Reform Legislation
The discussion highlights the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming rental reform bill proposed by Labour, particularly in light of previous failed attempts. The new legislation is expected to combine elements from past proposals while facing parliamentary scrutiny, leaving room for various amendments. One suggestion mentioned was inspired by French eviction laws, which may create challenges for landlords by allowing tenants to remain in situations causing them 'excessive hardship.' Despite these debates, the likelihood of extreme measures being enacted seems low, as a drastic overhaul could negatively impact the private rental sector, potentially resulting in higher rents and reduced supply.
Understanding Mortgage Assessment Factors
When seeking a mortgage for an investment property, several key factors come into play beyond just the rental income. Lenders will appraise the property value to ensure it meets their criteria, and the loan amount typically correlates with this value. Additionally, rental income must meet a certain threshold - often 1.25 times the mortgage payment - to satisfy stress tests, which determine the borrower's capacity to sustain repayments. Personal credit history and income levels also play a critical role, with most lenders requiring a minimum annual income of around £25,000 to qualify for a buy-to-let mortgage.
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Rumors and Regulations: Navigating Rental Reforms and Property Investments
It’s time for your latest round of Ask Rob & Rob, and we’ve got some cracking ones this week!
(0:37) Andy's come across an interesting article about Labour potentially tweaking the renter's reform bill. It mentions they might introduce a French-style hardship test. Is there any real substance to this or is it just rumour mill chatter?
(3:11) Tom's got a chunk of capital and is considering a strategy to buy houses outright, refurbish them, and then remortgage to withdraw much of his initial investment. Now he’s wondering how banks will assess his remortgage applications; will it solely be based on the rental income or is there more to it?
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