Investors invest in people, not ideas
After more than 15 years delivering projects across the GCC, I’ve sat through countless developer presentations to investors. The financial models are polished. The architectural renders are stunning. The location analysis is thorough. But when the conversation turns to project management consultancy selection, I watch something interesting happen: developers treat it as a procurement decision, […]
ALEC grows focus on becoming epicentre of construction innovation
ALEC Holdings used its Innovation Day 2025 to showcase how it has evolved into a ‘Platform for Global Innovation Solutions’, where solutions shaping the future of construction are ideated, nurtured and scaled across the wider industry. 15 external partners showcased their technologies at last week’s Innovation Day, which is said to reinforce the company’s position […]
Meraas launches final phase of Nad Al Sheba Gardens
Meraas has announced the launch of Phase 11 of Nad Al Sheba Gardens, the final phase of the master community. The new phase introduces 210 villas and townhouses, along with a school, further enhancing the appeal of one of Dubai’s most established residential destinations, said the developer in a statement. Nad Al Sheba Gardens is […]
EMSTEEL supplies steel and building materials for construction of Zayed National Museum
EMSTEEL has said it played a significant role in the development of the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. The museum, officially inaugurated by the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was graced by the presence of the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates. The inauguration ceremony was […]
Navigating Change: The Future of UK Landlords
There was a palpable buzz surrounding the first seminar of the day at the final National Landlord Investment Show in London on 29th October 2025.
The high attendance at the show and the fully packed auditorium underscored that, while the landscape is changing, the commitment of landlords to the Buy-to-Let (BTL) market remains firm.
A quick show of hands revealed a striking statistic: only one member of the large audience indicated a plan to leave the market specifically due to the impending Renters’ Rights Act (RRA).
With hundreds of landlords in the audience, this clear signal suggests that far from a mass exodus, landlords are focused on learning, adapting, and finding new strategies to maintain their BTL portfolios.
The overall consensus was one of ‘how to adapt,’ not ‘how to leave,’ which is where the expert panel of industry professionals stepped in to help attendees navigate the new regulatory environment.
The Expert Panel: Navigating Change
The first session, ‘Navigating Change: The Future of UK Landlords,’ brought together a high-energy conversation led by Ian Collins (TalkTV). The panel featured a selection of high-profile experts, including Kate Faulkner OBE (Leading UK Property Analyst), Rachel Knight (TitleSplit.com), Eddie Hughes (Former Housing Minister), Allison Thompson (LRG), and Naomi Jackson (GetGround).
Key Takeaways for Landlords
‘Knowledge is Not an Option Anymore’
When it comes to operating a property portfolio, Allison Thompson from LRG stressed that ‘knowledge is not an option anymore’ when navigating the future of the lettings market.
Landlords must take ownership of their new responsibilities under the Renters’ Rights Act and treat their Buy-to-Lets more like a business operation than ever before. This involves moving away from casual management towards a structured, professional approach.
Echoing the sentiment, Naomi Jackson from GetGround said, “Landlords should understand their portfolio more like a business and treat it like a business.”
Renters’ Rights Act – An Opportunity for Change?
While the Renters’ Right Act presents challenges, it also presents a pivotal moment for the Buy-to-Let sector. Ask Kate Faulkner OBE, who explained ‘the tides will change’, and the RRA provides a genuine opportunity for landlords to showcase that they are not the problem but are instead a key part of the solution to the UK’s housing crisis.
By fully embracing the higher standards and compliance requirements of the RRA, dedicated landlords can unequivocally demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality, secure homes, thereby showcasing their dedication to the sector and its tenants.
While the sector is often subject to negative press, the RRA provides compliant landlords with an opportunity to unequivocally showcase their adherence to the rules, helping to shift public sentiment away from negative stereotypes.
Positives of a National Landlord Database
With the introduction of the new National Landlord Database, Eddie Hughes (Former Housing Minister) noted that the measure “opens up communication between landlords and the government” in ways which have not been available before. This ‘vital communication’ could lead to more positive industry shifts and collaboration in the future.
The Need for Professional Expertise
It is undeniable that there is a lot to navigate ahead. The complexities introduced by the RRA mean that landlords cannot afford to rely on outdated practices or informal advice. With hefty fines on the line, landlords must take steps towards full compliance.
To ensure adherence to the new legislation, landlords are strongly advised to seek professional advice from knowledgeable service providers. Whether it’s legal experts, property management specialists, or tax accountants, relying on expert guidance will be crucial for landlords to successfully operate within the new legal framework and thrive in the future of the private rented sector.
Rachel Knight suggested that landlords should ‘seek help from a good agent for the first year or two’ to help ensure all the right boxes have been ticked. There are plenty of services and experts available across the country; there is no need for landlords to go into this alone.
Embracing Technology
While the expert panel advised against using Artificial Intelligence for complex legal tasks like drafting contracts, GetGround’s Naomi Jackson did highlight the immense potential for technology to “bridge the gap” in skills and significantly streamline business processes moving forward.
This transition involves shifting from outdated, manual methods to professional software solutions. Whether this takes the shape of moving to Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant software or maintaining a comprehensive digital footprint of all aspects of a property business, landlords should seriously consider making the shift from basic spreadsheets to technology that provides them with better, more time-efficient tools.
As landlords enter this new era of BTL, it is clear they are rising to the occasion, highlighting their dedication to the industry and the private rental sector. While the transition will likely feel bumpy over the next year or so as landlords adopt these new operating practices, the long-term future of UK landlords remains positive.
Missed the show? Join the free LIS Community Hub today here for exclusive market reports, Renters’ Rights Act training, Making Tax Digital Tools- all essential resources and insights to keep you ahead of your property investment journey. Also, check out the 2026 National Landlord Investment Show dates and secure your free ticket today.
Article: Navigating Change: The Future of UK Landlords – Copyright Property Notify Limited – All rights reserved. – Property Notify.
HOW EASTERN BYPASS HAS FACILITATED THE GROWTH OF KAMAKIS TOWN
Did you know Kamakis was one bushy area where animals grazed with only one butchery before the many nyama choma joints? yes that right. Kamakis which is a town located along Eastern Bypass in Ruiru, Kiambu county mostly known for its many nyama choma (roasted meat) joints started with one butchery which was known as […]
2025 Property Trends: Lagos Takes the Lead
Every year, millions of Nigerians, both at home and abroad search online for their next real estate opportunity. But where exactly are they looking? According to the latest Nigeria Property Search Trends 2025, Lagos leads the pack with a commanding 73.2% of all property-related searches. Abuja follows at 18.3%, while Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers account […]
The 2025 Autumn Budget & UK Property Market
Is speculation around the 2025 Autumn Budget creating a slowdown in the property market? We explore implications for landlords.
We’ve all heard the buzz surrounding the 2025 Autumn Budget, and the predictions for landlords are mounting.
Putting the speculation to one side, in this feature, we move beyond the headlines to break down the real-world repercussions of these potential changes and uncover the unintended consequences they could unleash on the property market.
When is the 2025 Autumn Budget?
The 2025 Autumn Budget has been confirmed for Wednesday, 26th November, with the statement typically beginning at 12:30 pm.
How will the Budget Affect House Prices?
House price growth is already slowing down in the run-up to the November Autumn Budget, which has been driven by a pause in buyer activity, according to the latest analysis from Zoopla.
The annual rate of house price inflation dropped to 1.4% in the year to August 2025, bringing the average UK home value to £271,000. However, this slowdown is not entirely unexpected; it is a common occurrence for caution to enter the property market during times of financial uncertainty, especially in the run-up to a major government fiscal statement.
While the wider mainstream market remains largely unaffected according to Zoopla’s latest house price index, uncertainty over potential tax changes has clearly begun to weigh on activity in the premium sector (homes priced above £500,000). This speculation has prompted some movers to delay decisions.
When it comes to the £500,000+ market, buyer demand is 4% lower and new listings are 7% lower compared to a year ago.
The effect is even more evident in the £1m+ price point, where buyer demand has dropped by 11% and new listings are down by 9%.
With potential tax changes around the corner, the hesitation among higher-value buyers and sellers is fuelled by a desire to potentially save on Stamp Duty or avoid being caught by a new tax, making a “wait and see” approach a common approach for homebuyers. This impact will be felt most keenly in regions with a high concentration of premium or higher-priced properties, such as London and the South East.
Proposed NI Tax on Landlords
The proposed National Insurance (NI) tax is the latest in a series of measures that have increased the cost of being a private landlord, and many industry experts warn it could be the final straw for some landlords.
The Resolution Foundation has proposed levying a 20% basic rate NI (with an additional 8% on income over £50,270) on rental earnings, which are currently exempt for most non-professional landlords.
This new tax would represent a substantial increase in the overall tax bill for individuals, particularly those who are higher-rate income tax payers already grappling with the cumulative impact of recent changes.
Industry critics warn that rising costs will push more individual landlords to sell up, reducing the supply of rental properties and inevitably driving rents higher for tenants.
With a potential exemption for properties held in a Limited Company (Ltd) structure, landlords may seek to hold future property purchases within an Ltd structure to mitigate their tax exposure.
Imposing National Insurance on rental income risks creating a vicious cycle: landlords exit the market, supply shrinks, and rents surge. This lack of strategic foresight regarding market dynamics would ultimately reduce housing affordability for tenants, increasing reliance on already stretched social housing resources.
Capital Gains Tax on Housing
The government is also reportedly considering the removal of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief on the sale of primary residences above a certain value, which could potentially be a dramatic shift in the UK property market.
CGT, a tax on profit from asset sales, currently exempts main homes, but proposals include taxing gains on sales above a threshold. Alternatively, another consideration is that a levy on homes above £500,000 could replace Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Should CGT be applied to main residences, the consequence could stall the housing market, as homeowners with significant gains may be unwilling to sell and face a large tax bill.
This reduced mobility would be felt most acutely in high-value regions like London and the South East, potentially freezing a market key to the wider economy and creating regional inequities.
This measure risks a “pricing cliff edge,” where sellers deliberately price homes just below the threshold to avoid the tax, and a general reduction in high-value transactions. While critics warn this could prevent the Treasury from raising the intended revenue, supporters argue the move is necessary to rebalance the tax system, shifting the burden onto property wealth and bringing the UK in line with international norms that cap main residence exemptions.
Stamp Duty Tax Changes
The potential for a Proportional Property Tax to replace Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on owner-occupied homes (for properties over £500,000 and paid by the seller) could have mixed consequences for the wider housing market.
Shifting the tax burden from the buyer to the seller may improve affordability and liquidity for owner-occupiers, encouraging market movement by making the upfront cost of purchasing a primary residence lower.
However, this approach could create a market distortion with an artificial ceiling on property values. What’s more, the regional impact could prove jarring for property markets in London and the South East, where many family homes fall near the proposed thresholds, leading to greater market friction and potentially stalling mobility in those key regions.
Potential 2025 Autumn Budget Consequences
With the 2025 Autumn Budget just around the corner, the rush to meet the Chancellor’s self-imposed fiscal rules appears to be driving a series of property tax proposals that risk significant unintended consequences and feel inherently unfair to homeowners and landlords.
The prospect of levying Capital Gains Tax on main residences, for instance, could not only wipe value off the market but also introduce a detrimental perverse incentive: homeowners may be less inclined to invest in essential improvements, such as energy-efficient upgrades, if the resulting increase in property value simply attracts a larger tax bill upon sale, ultimately leading to a lower quality of housing stock across the board.
Adding the proposed NI tax to landlords’ rental income is explicitly forecast to increase rents by accelerating the exit of private investors, further reducing housing affordability for tenants.
The market is also confused by the government’s direction on transaction costs. While the Conservative government has pledged to scrap Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), Labour is considering replacing it with new seller-paid taxes. This dramatic shift in focus signals a fundamental disagreement over whether the tax should be eliminated to aid market mobility or redesigned to extract wealth from property sales.
Whilst nothing is set in stone, the risk of severe market distortion and pricing cliff edges strongly suggests the Chancellor’s fiscal framework should be more flexible to avoid generating such detrimental outcomes.
Article: The 2025 Autumn Budget & UK Property Market – Copyright Property Notify Limited – All rights reserved. – Property Notify.
Things to Do Before the Movers Arrive
Moving is stressful, so you’d be forgiven if after packing the last box you thought that you were finally done. Now it’s just time to wait for the movers to arrive, right? Not exactly. Working with professional movers is a great option for people making big moves, moving with kids, or moving large or fragile items […]
From Renters’ Rights Bill to Act
The Renters’ Rights Act is now available to view on the government legislation portal here. After the Bill received Royal Assent on Monday 27th October, the new law marks one of the most significant reforms to England’s private rented sector in decades.
The new law will ban Section 21 no-fault evictions, replace fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements, cap rent increases, and introduce tougher property standards under the updated Decent Homes Standard.
It also paves the way for a national landlord register and a new private rented sector ombudsman, while extending Awaab’s Law to private landlords. Although the exact implementation timetable is still to be finalised, the Government has confirmed that further secondary legislation will follow in due course, signalling the start of a major transition period for landlords, letting agents, and tenants alike.
Some of the leading experts from the property indusrty have shared their thoughts below:
Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves, commented:
“The Renters’ Rights Act brings to an end years of uncertainty, but in doing so it opens a new chapter of compliance and complexity for landlords. While it’s positive that we now have clarity, the path to full implementation will not be a straightforward one.
Many landlords will be wary of further administrative burden and reduced flexibility, but at least they now know where they stand and can begin to plan accordingly. Once the dust settles and the finer details are clear, we expect the sector to stabilise and confidence to return.”
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, commented:
“The Renters’ Rights Act marks a pivotal moment for the lettings industry, moving us from debate to delivery after what seems like a very protracted period of political back-and-forth. While it undoubtedly raises the bar on compliance, it also provides the certainty and structure that landlords and agents have been waiting for.
What’s vital now is that the Government resists the temptation to keep moving the goalposts. The private rented sector is essential to housing supply, and constant legislative change only fuels uncertainty. The focus should now be on supporting responsible landlords rather than penalising them.”
Sam Humphreys, Head of M&A at Dwelly, commented:
“For landlords, this may feel like another legislative hurdle to overcome, but the reality is that many are already operating to the improved standards that have now been set in legal stone.
The focus now must shift to implementation and ensuring that landlords understand their new obligations, that tenants are properly protected, and that technology and process innovation are used to help ease the administrative load that will inevitably follow.”
Article: From Renters’ Rights Bill to Act – Copyright Property Notify Limited – All rights reserved. – Property Notify.
