According to figures released by HMRC, the number of buy-to-let or second homes bought in the third quarter was double that of the number bought in the second quarter, just after the introduction of the extra 3% stamp duty surcharge.
The additional 3% surcharge, introduced in April of this year, has allowed figures to be published for the first time which indicate the number of homes bought as buy-to-let or second homes.
According to HMRC, in excess of £600million in stamp duty has been collected since the surcharge was introduced.
As well as the 3% on second home owners, a 10% maintenance charge which could be used against annual income tax has also been scrapped.
Despite the government introducing a wave of measures to dampen down the buy-to-let sector, it seems they have only had limited impact, with landlords still ready to invest and expand their property portfolios.
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