Tag: planning reform

The commercial mortgage and bridging finance sector is urging the next Prime Minister to implement significant planning reforms and provide greater support for landlords. This call comes as the sector highlights the pressing need for practical changes to stimulate housing supply and facilitate regeneration projects across the UK.

TL;DR: The specialist finance sector seeks urgent planning reforms and support for landlords; delays in planning and tax policies are hindering investment in commercial properties.

What Planning Reforms Are Needed?

According to industry experts, the current planning system is a major obstacle to development. Karen Rodrigues, sales director at TAB, emphasises the need for a refreshed planning framework that includes statutory deadlines and better resourcing for local authorities. This would help accelerate the approval process for change-of-use applications, particularly for converting vacant retail and office spaces into mixed-use developments.

Rodrigues points out that while the sector is capable of delivering commercial mortgages swiftly, the planning process is slow, which frustrates businesses and investors. By reforming planning regulations, the government could unlock vital projects, rejuvenate communities, and stimulate economic growth.

Why Is Support for Landlords Important?

Landlords play an important role in addressing housing demand, especially in the private rented sector (PRS). The call for landlord support is rooted in the belief that until more social housing is constructed, the PRS is essential for meeting housing needs. Rodrigues argues that successive governments have treated landlords primarily as a source of tax revenue, leading to a restrictive environment for property investment.

To enhance the viability of the PRS, Rodrigues suggests reinstating mortgage interest tax relief for individual landlords, eliminating the stamp duty surcharge, and reintroducing the Wear and Tear Allowance. These measures would alleviate financial pressures on landlords and encourage more investment in rental properties.

What Changes to Business Rates Are Proposed?

Another area of concern is the burden of business rates on high streets and mixed-use properties. Rodrigues advocates for reforming business rates to lower costs for independent retailers and hospitality businesses. By doing so, the government could create a more supportive environment for local businesses, which in turn would benefit tenants in semi-commercial properties.

Reducing business rates could help invigorate high streets, making them more attractive to consumers and encouraging foot traffic. This change is seen as essential for the revitalisation of local economies and the overall health of the commercial property market.

What This Means for Bridging Finance

The proposed reforms have significant implications for landlords, borrowers, and investors. A streamlined planning process would facilitate quicker project approvals, making it easier for investors to enter the market and for landlords to adapt properties to meet changing demands. Additionally, reinstating tax reliefs could improve the financial viability of rental properties, encouraging more investment in the sector.

For bridging finance providers, these reforms could lead to increased demand for financing solutions as property owners seek to capitalise on new opportunities. The overall aim is to create a more dynamic property market that encourages investment and supports economic recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main proposals for planning reform?

The proposals include introducing statutory deadlines for planning decisions, increasing local authority resources, and facilitating the conversion of redundant commercial spaces into mixed-use developments.

How would changes to tax policies affect landlords?

Changes such as reinstating mortgage interest tax relief and scrapping the stamp duty surcharge would alleviate financial burdens on landlords, making it more viable to invest in rental properties.

The commercial mortgage and bridging finance sector is urging the next Prime Minister to implement significant planning reforms and provide support for landlords. With the current planning delays and restrictive tax policies, the sector believes that these changes are essential to boost housing supply and stimulate economic growth.

TL;DR: The next Prime Minister must prioritise planning reform and landlord support to unlock housing supply; current delays and tax policies hinder investment in property markets.

What Planning Reforms Are Needed?

According to industry experts, the planning system in the UK requires urgent reform. The sales director at TAB highlighted the need for a refreshed planning system that includes statutory deadlines and increased resources for local authorities. A presumption in favour of converting redundant commercial spaces into residential units is also suggested. This would expedite the approval process for change-of-use applications, allowing vacant retail and office units to be transformed into mixed-use developments.

How Do Current Policies Affect Landlords?

The private rented sector (PRS) plays a vital role in meeting the UK’s housing demand. However, landlords have faced increasing challenges due to policies that treat them primarily as sources of tax revenue. The call for reform includes reinstating mortgage interest tax relief for individual landlords, scrapping the stamp duty surcharge, and bringing back the Wear and Tear Allowance. These changes would alleviate financial pressures on landlords and encourage investment in rental properties.

What Does This Mean for Bridging Finance?

For property investors, the proposed reforms could unlock significant opportunities in bridging finance. The current planning system hampers the speed at which projects can be completed, leading to lost investment potential. By advocating for reforms that reduce transactional friction, such as adjusting stamp duty rates on commercial and mixed-use acquisitions, the industry aims to create a more conducive environment for property investment. This could lead to increased regeneration projects and a more vibrant high street.

What This Means for Landlords and Borrowers

Landlords and borrowers in the bridging finance sector should closely monitor these developments. The proposed changes could enhance the viability of property investments, making it easier to secure funding and complete projects. With a more supportive framework, landlords may find it easier to manage their properties and meet the growing housing demand. This could also lead to a more competitive rental market, benefiting tenants as well.

Frequently asked questions

What is bridging finance?

Bridging finance is a short-term loan used to bridge the gap between the purchase of a property and securing long-term financing. It is often used in property transactions to facilitate quick purchases.

How can I benefit from planning reforms as a landlord?

Planning reforms could simplify the process of converting properties and reduce the financial burden of taxation, making it easier for landlords to manage their investments and respond to housing demand.

The commercial mortgage and bridging finance sector is calling for significant planning reforms and increased support for landlords from the next Prime Minister. TAB, a commercial mortgage and bridging lender, highlights that current planning delays and tax policies are hindering investment in regeneration projects and housing supply, which is important for economic growth.

TL;DR: TAB emphasizes the need for urgent planning reforms to expedite development; landlords are urged to receive more support as they play a vital role in addressing housing demand.

What Planning Reforms Does TAB Propose?

Karen Rodrigues, sales director at TAB, stresses that the next Prime Minister must prioritize a refreshed planning system. Key proposals include establishing statutory deadlines for planning approvals, enhancing local authority resources, and promoting the conversion of redundant commercial spaces into mixed-use developments. These changes aim to speed up the approval process for change-of-use applications, which currently face significant delays.

Rodrigues points out that while TAB is capable of delivering commercial mortgages swiftly, the sluggish planning system hampers progress for businesses and investors. By reforming planning regulations, the government could unlock various projects, stimulate community regeneration, and ultimately support broader economic growth.

How Will This Impact Landlords and Investors?

Landlords are a critical component of the UK housing market, particularly in the private rented sector (PRS). TAB argues that the next government must recognize the importance of landlords in meeting housing demand, especially as social housing delivery lags behind. Rodrigues calls for the removal of excessive red tape and fiscal burdens that have historically targeted private landlords.

Among the suggested reforms are the reinstatement of mortgage interest tax relief for individual landlords, the elimination of the stamp duty surcharge, and the reintroduction of the Wear and Tear Allowance. These measures would alleviate financial pressures on landlords, encouraging them to invest in their properties and contribute to the housing supply.

What Changes Are Needed for Business Rates?

Business rates reform is another area highlighted by TAB, with Rodrigues advocating for reduced costs for independent retailers and hospitality businesses. Lowering business rates could significantly benefit high streets and support tenants in semi-commercial properties, enhancing the viability of local businesses.

Rodrigues emphasizes that the next Prime Minister should create conditions that allow local businesses to thrive, which would, in turn, rejuvenate high streets. This includes potential reforms to stamp duty, such as lower rates on commercial and mixed-use acquisitions or reliefs for bringing vacant buildings back into use. The current tax market often discourages sensible deals, making it essential to address these issues to stimulate activity in the property market.

What This Means for Bridging Finance

For those involved in bridging finance, the proposed reforms could lead to increased opportunities for investment and development. A more efficient planning system would allow bridging finance providers to facilitate quicker transactions, ultimately benefiting borrowers and investors alike. With the right support and reforms in place, the bridging finance sector could play a pivotal role in addressing the UK’s housing challenges.

Frequently asked questions

What is bridging finance?

Bridging finance is a short-term loan used to bridge the gap between the purchase of a new property and the sale of an existing one. It is often used in property transactions where quick access to funds is necessary.

How can planning reforms benefit property investors?

Planning reforms can streamline the approval process for property developments, reduce delays, and create a more favorable environment for investment, ultimately leading to increased housing supply and regeneration opportunities.