国际消息

拥有英国物业的海外业主已经达到了近五年来的最高水平。该数字创下五年新高，达到18.4万，比五年来增长了19％。在欧盟公投与英国脱欧协议之间的英镑贬值时间，经验丰富的投资者把握了机会趁低吸纳, 不但有房价的升值还赚取了汇率回复的优势。尽管近期征收额外2％的海外印花税，增加了投资者的成本，但英国房地产还是有长线投资的吸引力。在经济动荡时期，它具有韧性，当地的房屋短缺亦使租金收益相对高。英国学校和大学的名声也使房地产市场受益。许多购买房地产的海外房东都为了在英国学习的孩子提供住宿。投资英国物业还是受到许多经验投资者欢迎。

Number of overseas landlords with UK properties hits five-year high

If the latest figures highlighting the number of overseas landlords owning property in the UK is anything to go by then Brexit hasn’t deterred investment in the UK property market.

According to the most recent data, the figure stands at a five-year high of 184,000 – marking an increase of 19% over five years, when there were 154,000 overseas landlords,

Residential property market experts, Ludlowthompson, suggest that many overseas investors have capitalised on the drop in the value of Sterling between the EU referendum and the Brexit deal to add to their portfolios. Favourable exchange rates meant that foreign buyers were able to get more for their money, opening the market up to a wider pool of investors.

Despite tax changes, including a 2% Stamp Duty surcharge that will increase costs for overseas investors, property in the UK will remain an attractive long-term investment prospect for investors from many overseas jurisdictions.

The UK property market has traditionally been resilient in times of economic uncertainty and a structural shortage of properties has kept rental yields relatively strong.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of Hong Kong buyers of UK property. This is expected to rise following the launch of the new visa for Hong Kong British National Overseas passport holders.

The reputation of schools and universities in the UK has also benefitted the property market. Many overseas landlords who have purchased property have done so to provide accommodation for their children who were studying in the UK.

Overseas landlords have been benefitting from the Stamp Duty holiday, which has enabled buyers to save as much as £15,000 on properties worth up to £500,000. The holiday is set to run until June 30th after which point Stamp Duty will be reintroduced on properties worth £250,000, and will apply to properties over the £125,000 threshold from September 30th. Whilst overseas landlords have benefited from the holiday, from April 1st they will be liable to pay a 2% Stamp Duty surcharge on property investments.

Stephen Ludlow, Chairman at ludlowthompson, comments: “Fears that Brexit might dampen the appeal of UK property amongst overseas investors have been unfounded, with the number of overseas landlords reaching a record high.”

“Many canny investors took advantage of the temporary drop in Sterling’s value to purchase properties in the UK and benefited from both an increase in property prices and a recovery in sterling.”

“Investments by overseas landlords into UK buy-to-let properties have ensured that there has been a steady stream of capital into that sector, which has kept the quality of rental stock far higher than would have been the case with these investors.”