Far more than Three Billboards - £10,000 wanted for anti-S24 campaign

A campaign opposing the government’s recent tax changes which have penalised buy to let investors has taken a leaf out of the movie ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ in a bid to publicise its arguments.

The most damaging tax changes - gradually phasing out mortgage tax relief for landlords using buy to let mortgages - were contained in Section 24 of the Finance (no. 2) Act 2015, hence the name of the campaign to repeal the measure. 

The landlords and local groups backing the campaign have already funded 10 billboards across mostly southern and Midlands locations to voice their opposition to S24, and now wants to raise £10,000 to fund more.

On its Justgiving page the campaign says: “After having exhausted all other avenues to get his MP to listen and do something about the government’s outrageous attack on the private rented sector, [campaign organiser] David Heard decided to pay for a billboard.

“David also has several contacts who are happy for their billboards to be used for the same purpose at an incredibly low price. Accordingly, we have started this fundraising campaign to make this happen.

“To help us get the Section 24 tax reforms repealed, please make a donation and share this campaign. For more details please see the campaign website at https://section24.info/”

To date it has raised around £6,000 mostly through small donations, although earlier this week the Portsmouth & District Private Landlords Association gave £500.

The campaign’s current billboard is packed with information but some are suggesting a redesign of the content to be shorter, simpler and to emphasise the ‘Tenant Tax’ label which campaigners have given S24. 

You can see the crowdfunding page here.