One in every six houses in Harborough bought as second homes or buy-to-lets

According to HMRC data, second home buyers - including property investors and landlords buying houses to rent out - were undeterred by new taxes on extra properties.

A second home is defined by HMRC as a property that is bought by buyers who already have primary residences.

Last year, 17% of the properties sold in Harborough were classified as second homes.

Around 370 were bought in the financial year 2017-18, with a combined value of £108 million.

That’s despite an extra 3% stamp duty charge on additional properties, introduced in April 2016 as part of a government effort to deter buy-to-let landlords, property investors and second home owners.

In England, almost one in four properties bought last year were classified as second homes.

Around 232,000 second homes were bought, with an estimated value of more than £70 billion.

The number bought last year in Harborough has increased by 28% since 2016-17, when about 290 second homes were purchased.

The National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, said it was concerned about the impact that buying extra properties has on local communities.

Policy leader Will Jeffwitz said: “In any community, if more homes are bought up as second homes then there are fewer available for residents - and the houses left are more unaffordable.”

He added: “If families and young people are priced out of their local communities it can have a hugely demanding impact on community life - with village shops, schools and pubs closing in alarming numbers as a result.”

The NHF praised the Government for reducing stamp duty for first time buyers, but urged that more investment was needed in social housing.

Mr Jeffwitz said: “Our solution is that there should be a renewed focus on building more affordable housing, which reduces the impact of a high ownership of second homes.”

Lawrence Bowles, research analyst at estate agent Savills, said that first-time buyers are still at a “fundamental disadvantage”, despite the new tax.

He said: “First time buyers will typically be buying with a mortgage, and buy-to-let landlords will often have the money in their account, ready to go.

“Sellers prefer that over mortgages because of the certainty - there’s always a risk associated with a mortgage.”

In total, around £14 million was collected from stamp duty in Harborough last year.

HMRC figures say that duty on additional dwellings made up 37% of that amount.

The Treasury said that the Government’s priority is to “support first time buyers”.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We want to support the dream of home ownership for the next generation.

“Higher rates of stamp duty on second homes means we can afford to offer more support to first time buyers through the stamp duty relief.”