72% of pensioners would struggle without BTL income

Eight out of ten (81%) pensioners who own a buy-to-let said their properties provide an important, even vital, boost to their retirement income.

More than nine out of ten (92%) are worried about the changes to mortgage interest tax relief and the impact on the profit they make from their investment property.

The buy-to-let tax changes coming into force have left many pensioner landlords considering whether it’s worth holding onto their buy-to-lets at all. Four out of ten (41%) said although their buy-to-let property was a valuable income generator, they are now thinking seriously about selling it.

Steve Wilkie, managing director, Responsible Equity Release, commented:

"For many pensioners, having a buy-to-let property has been a life saver in this low interest environment. While their savings have languished, earning very little interest, and pension income has been hit hard by falling share prices, property income has remained strong.

“Without the income boost from their buy-to-let, many would really be struggling to make ends meet. But the Chancellor has yet again ignored UK’s retirees when he announced changes to the way buy-to-let would be taxed.

“George Osborne was so focused on taxing the rich, he forgot that a new tax on buy-to-let won’t just hit the wealthy, it will also hit those honest, hard working people, who may have a single buy-to-let property, and were just hoping it would earn them a little extra income in retirement.”