Buy-to-let investors are set to receive a substantial tax break if new proposals are accepted.
A consultation paper compiled by Treasury officials recommends that professional landlords and buy-to-let investors should be allowed to pay stamp duty on properties individually, rather than paying one lump sum when buying a number of properties. This would reduce many investors' tax bills.
The proposals are part of the government's drive to increase the supply of rental homes. It is thought that many in the Treasury would like to see Britain move closer to the model seen in other European countries, where home ownership is comparatively low.
But the tax break plans have been met with criticism from homeowner groups. A lobbying organisation called PricedOut has pledged to oppose the moves as they believe it would make it more difficult for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder.
According to a recent survey, levels of owner occupation are at their lowest for three decades.
