Scottish landlords buying up English property at record rate to escape Nicola Sturgeon’s tax grabs

Scottish landlords are buying up record levels of property in England and Wales as they seek refuge from Nicola Sturgeon’s tax crackdown. The proportion of Scottish

investors buying properties in other parts of Britain has more than doubled since 2019, from 2.5pc to 5.3pc this year, according to Hamptons estate agents. Scottish

landlords’ purchases in England and Wales are now at their highest level since records began in 2009. John Blackwood, of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said growing

numbers of Scottish landlords are either selling up completely or opting to invest in England as an alternative. He said: “They believe the Scottish Government is

anti-landlord and anti-investing in the private rented sector.” Mr Blackwood said there is already a shortage of rental properties and the exodus of Scottish landlords will

only make matters worse. Landlords have seen their profits squeezed by a six-month ban on rent increases which came into force under Ms Sturgeon in October last year in a

bid to shield tenants from the worst of the cost of living crisis. This was accompanied by an eviction ban which landlords say is making it harder to evict problem

tenants. Last week the Scottish Government revealed plans to extend the measures until September. However, unlike the current rental freeze, private landlords will be

allowed to increase rents by a maximum of 3pc during the six-month period. In certain circumstances, such as where mortgage payments or service charges have drastically

risen, landlords will be able to apply to the Government for a rent rise of up to 6pc.