In this two-minute read,
we have a quick look at what you need to consider when becoming a landlord.

Before becoming a landlord,
you need to consider how you want to buy your rental property. There’s lots of
tricky tax stuff to consider and changes to tax relief over the last few years
mean that becoming a landlord might not be as profitable as you first think.

So, what should you do?
Should you buy a rental property in your personal name or via a limited
company?

Setting up a limited company

Since 2016, more private
companies than ever before have been set up to hold buy-to-let properties
(primarily because of tax changes) and it’s relatively easy to do. Whether
you’re starting a company on your own or with others, it’s a matter of choosing
a name, deciding who does what, having a company address, and registering
online with Companies House.

Keeping the accounts and
records for a limited company can be a lot more complicated than personal tax,
so it’s always advisable to hire an accountant. In addition, proper
accounts are a legal requirement when running a limited company, so by hiring a
professional you can have peace of mind that things will be done the right way.

Taxing stuff

Tax. Ugh. A word that makes
everyone feel slightly sick. And when you’re a landlord, it’s an area you need
to get your head round.

Over the last few years, the
government has brought in several tax changes that impact private landlords
with property in their own names and their level of tax relief. In simple
terms, this means less profit and more tax.

For example, in England, rental
profit is subject to income tax. Previously, if you had an £800 monthly
mortgage bill and earned £1,000 in rent, you would only pay tax on the £200
profit. However, since April 2020 tax changes have meant that mortgage costs
can no longer be treated as an expense, meaning after-tax profit has
considerably reduced.

Limited companies now hold
more tax advantages for landlords. For example, a limited company can still
treat mortgage costs as an expense along with other related costs of managing a
rental property. In addition, limited companies are subject to corporation tax
which is currently set at 19% (although this is set to increase), instead of
income tax, which changes the more that you earn.

Other tax areas to
investigate if thinking about setting up a limited company include:

-
No capital gains
tax

-
Inheritance tax
issues (if you plan to pass your property on)

Always speak to an accountant or financial advisor when it
comes to tax matters.

If you’re thinking about
buying a rental property, please speak to us at CWB Property.