RLA continuing to lobby Treasury for buy-to-let tax changes

Buy-to-let landlords may have failed in their legal battle against planned government tax relief changes for buy-to-let homes set to be introduced next year, ‘but all is not lost’, according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

The campaign group Axe the Tenant Tax, led by private landlords Chris Cooper and Steve Bolton, went to court earlier this month seeking a judicial review of the government’s controversial mortgage interest relief changes, but failed in their efforts.

However, while Cooper and Bolton will not appeal the decision, the RLA insists that it is continuing to lobby ‘at the very highest level’ with a view to persuading the chancellor Philip Hammond to rethink plans to stop the government from reclassifying mortgage interest as anything other than a normal business expense.

The RLA has been campaigning since the proposed buy-to-let tax changes were first announced last year, with representatives having already met with Treasury officials to discuss the issue and lobbying work already making an impact in Westminster.

RLA representatives have a further meeting with the Treasury scheduled ahead of the Autumn Statement, as well as a round table meeting with Tory MPs and Peers.

The RLA is now urging all its members to lobby their own local MPs to help prevent the former chancellor George Osborne’s tax grab on landlords from going ahead.

The RLA has updated its template letter for all members to send to their MPs. Landlords can download it and use the empty box to talk about their own experiences – or even better meet their MPs in person.

Alan Ward, RLA chairman, said: “We need to spread the word to as many people as possible.

“Hundreds of landlords have already backed the campaign writing to and meeting with MPs and we are asking those who have not yet got involved to join them.

“We need a last push ahead of the Autumn Statement. We need to hammer home to the Government just how devastating these changes will be and we need to stand together to oppose this unjust tax and fight for a fair deal for the PRS landlord.”

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