Hibernia Reit boss says second home buyers should take tax hit

Chief executive Kevin Nowlan said that buy-to-let investors should be penalised in an effort to stop the ‘crowding out’ of first-time buyers

Kevin Nowlan, the chief executive of Hibernia Reit Picture: Fergal Phillips

The head of one of the country’s largest property companies has said that second home buyers should be hit with an extra stamp duty charge to free up housing supply.

Kevin Nowlan, the chief executive of Hibernia Reit, said that buy-to-let investors should be penalised in an effort to stop the ‘crowding out’ of first-time buyers.

“Why didn’t [Paschal Donohoe] make stamp duty 9 per cent for people buying a second home? You’re ...