I was disappointed to read in the, admittedly sponsored, Property News section of the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard (July 16) the item headed ‘Landlords do well in the area’. Cirencester has apparently been identified as a ‘hotspot’ for property investment.

The Market Comment continued to describe the golden opportunity for investment by existing and, presumably new, buy-to-let landlords. The target seems to be the two- and three-bedroom houses which are said to be ‘highly sought-after’ for renting by young professionals and families.

Hold on, I said to myself Aren’t these just the houses that these people would like to buy? The odds are clearly stacked against young people by the game that well-off people are playing. Not only does the competition from this sector have an inflationary effect on house prices, but landlords can make deductions against their tax bill that are not available to ordinary buyers, such as for the mortgage interest and maintenance and repairs. There are other giveaways as ‘allowable expenses’ from HMRC such as letting agents’ fees, landlord and unpaid rent insurance, and travel costs for visiting properties.

What Cirencester and the Cotswolds in general need are affordable homes for those who have average salaries, and articles like the one you printed will do nothing to make the situation for those who aspire to own their own homes possible.

TIM CHARSLEY

Hakeburn Road

Cirencester