There’s a national shortage of private rental properties and there needs to be an incentive for landlords to buy again.
You may be interested in these active petitions
In 2018 the government responded to a similar petition and this was the response: -
“Higher SDLT on additional dwellings and restricting finance cost relief seeks to support first-time buyers and level the playing field for homeowners. Neither measure is expected to impact rent levels.”
However, during 2020 and 2021 we are seeing one of the worst shortages in rental properties being available yet a huge demand from tenants.