Hands off landlords, the Government is being told, as the NRLA warns Chancellor Rachel Reeves against imposing new taxes on property owners.

Tax rises imposed on landlords would “critically damage” ministers’ aims of economic growth and social mobility, the landlord body says.

Pivotal Budget

The warning comes just weeks before Reeves is due to deliver a pivotal Budget, in which she is rumoured to be considering National Insurance on rental income.

Meanwhile, a report for the NRLA by former Treasury official Chris Walker finds that renters typically live closer to town and city centres, as well as their workplaces, than homeowners.

Vital role

This research reveals that 45% of private renters live within 5km of where they work, compared with just 29% of owner-occupiers.

And the report concludes that the PRS plays a vital role in “supporting opportunity, career progression and productivity”.

Analysis by the NRLA has also found the PRS is more likely than the social rented sector to give aspiring first-time buyers the platform to buy their first home.

Landlords are facing yet more speculation about tax hikes.”

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive at the NRLA (main picture), says: “The private rented sector is a significant driver of labour and social mobility. It enables people to move for work, access higher education, and seize new opportunities – everything the Government wants to promote as part of its growth agenda.

“Instead, landlords are facing yet more speculation about tax hikes that would hinder investment, reduce supply, and ultimately drive-up rents,” he says.

Revenue grabs

“The Chancellor must use this critical Budget to back responsible landlords who provide good homes and support local economies.

“That means using the tax system to encourage long-term investment, as opposed to prioritising short-term revenue grabs.”

More on landlord tax