100% - Anyone who deals as sole trader is clearly getting pushed out now. Companies with large portfolios purchase as a LTD cvompany are exempt form Income tax and N.I although they pay corporation tax.
To be fair this pushing out of private individuals staretd with Osbourne appeasing the masses by cancelling out mortgage interest being deducted from tax. Let me explain ;
Landords don't currently pay income tax o n their " income " . They pay income tax on their income after adding back in most of their mortgage interest. That measn they pay a higher rate ! They get a 20% credit .
Extreme example - landlord has £1200 income in rent but his mortgage is £1000. Net they recieve £200 . In any sane world they would be taxed 40% ( most will be higher reate tax payers ) on £200=£80 tax but thanks to Mr Osbourne they dont get to deduct the mortgage interest ,. they get a 20% credit on said mortgage interest. Their tax is 40% of £1200 minus 20% of £1000 - THEIR TAX IS £280
Just let that sink in - Their net income is £200 but they are paying £280 in tax - Like WTF ?
Ok im giving an extreme example but you see wheere im comig from. Add NI into the equation you can see why masses of lanlords are selling up and this is not good for tennats. Mark these words , if Rachel from accounts adds in NI your rent will go stratospheric.
Their income isn’t £200 though is it, they are paying off the house with that £1000 mortgage.
One of the main problems with Landlords is they expect other people to pay their mortgage to such a degree, they don’t even factor it in as a benefit, as this post I’ve quoted displays. It’s this attitude that leaves no one feeling sorry for Landlords.