As a landlord, you may be feeling uneasy about the upcoming changes in the UK property market and how they could impact your finances moving forward.

Whilst there's no stopping the unpredictable nature of this industry, it's still important to remain proactive and take steps to protect yourself against these potential issues.

Here are some tips you can put into practice right now, to help safeguard your money and investments:

🔒 Review your mortgage – With interest rates on the rise, it's essential to review your mortgage and consider if you need to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage. This will protect you from future rate hikes and give you peace of mind that your repayments won't suddenly increase.

📃 Check your insurance – Make sure you have the right insurance policies in place to protect your property and your income. Consider landlord insurance, which can cover you for things like loss of rent, legal expenses, and damage caused by tenants.

🧾 Be prepared for tax changes – The UK government has introduced several tax changes that could impact landlords' profits, such as the reduction in mortgage interest tax relief and the increase in stamp duty. Make sure you're aware of these changes and plan accordingly.

🧰 Keep your property in good condition – This will help you avoid costly repairs and keep your tenants happy. Regular inspections can help you identify any issues early on and address them before they become more significant problems.

📈 Consider alternative investments – We're no experts on things like stocks and bonds, but if you're really concerned about the property market you may want to consider alternative investments to offer diversification and potentially higher returns.

💰 Build up an emergency fund - It's important to have cash reserves set aside for unexpected expenses or periods of vacancy. Aim to have at least three to six months of expenses saved up.

🔍 Screen tenants carefully - Make sure you're doing thorough background checks on potential tenants to reduce the risk of late payments, property damage, or other issues. If the government intend to bring in tighter restrictions regarding the evictions procedure, you want to make sure you have the most suitable tenants in place.

📝 Use a comprehensive lease agreement - A well-written lease agreement can help protect you from legal disputes with tenants. Consider consulting with a lawyer to ensure your lease covers all necessary provisions.

👩⚖️ Stay up-to-date on landlord-tenant laws - Laws and regulations surrounding rental properties can change frequently. Make sure you're aware of any changes that may impact your responsibilities as a landlord.

👥 Join a landlord association or community - Networking with other landlords in your area can provide you with valuable resources and support as you navigate the rental market.


If you're considering quitting being a landlord ahead of the changes to the market and potential volatility in 2023/24, there are a few things to consider first.

Firstly, it's really important to assess the current state of the rental market and understand the potential impact of the upcoming changes. According to a recent survey, only 8.3% of surveyed landlords plan to sell any of their rental property within the next 12 months, down from 11.2% reported in April 2022. So, despite the negativity you may see online, this suggests that most landlords are actually optimistic about investing in the rental market and may not need to sell their properties.

However, if you still want to exit the market, you should consider the following:

• Review the current value of your properties and consider selling if the market value is high
• Be aware of the legal requirements for selling a rental property, such as notice periods
• Consider the potential tax implications of selling rental properties, such as capital gains tax
• Be prepared for potential challenges in selling properties due to changes in the market, such as increased competition from other sellers
• It's important for landlords to carefully weigh the pros and cons of selling their rental properties and seek professional advice if necessary

Regardless of your decision, we would definitely recommend reaching out to other landlords who are facing similar challenges. Having open conversations and learning from others' experiences can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions. Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture can sometimes make a big difference!

If you're looking for a community of landlords to connect with, we invite you to join The Hive for just £19.99 (easily put through as a tax expendable). As a member, you'll gain immediate access to our Slack group where you can seek advice and support from other landlords who are navigating the same challenges. Our community is made up of women just like you, and we're here to help each other succeed in the rental market.