The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is urging landlords to lobby their MPs over the ever-increasing tax burden.
The association says it has sought legal advice about a challenge to the latest landlord tax – an additional 2% on property-related income tax, announced at last month’s Budget.
But NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle says there would be little chance of success in court and admits: “The reality of finance legislation is that there is very little means to challenge a government with a majority.”
Instead he wants landlords to make it clear to the government that it’s making what he calls “a grave error” through a lobbying campaign.
Beadle continues: “These are dark times and it is vital we work together to challenge this unjust targeting of our sector – at a time when people need it most.”
He suggests lobbying letters, emails and personal visits to MPs should raise the following issues:
- The impact of the recent tax rises in the Budget on you as a landlord
- Whether or not you will have to pass on costs in rent rises to tenants
- How the Renters’ Rights Act has affected you
- Your concerns about the national landlords’ database
“We would encourage you to set out your particular circumstances and explain the decisions you now face, including whether or not you might leave the sector” he says.
And he advises:
- Raise your concerns directly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer (John Healey MP) and Housing Minister (Matthew Pennycook MP).
- To ask questions in the House of Commons about the issues you have raised.
- To seek a debate in parliament on the private rented sector
You can contact MPs via the parliament website.
