2025 BUDGET LANDLORD SURVIVAL GUIDE

How to cancel out the Budget tax rises — and possibly end up better off

A free, no-nonsense guide from Cornerstone Letting Agents, Edinburgh. The latest Budget made residential letting more expensive again.

Eight straightforward, perfectly legal moves can more than offset the extra tax for most landlords — often in weeks.

1. Cut your letting-agent costs
   Fees above 11–12%+VAT are no longer the norm some are even paying 14%+VAT and big marketing fees on top! Many agents now charge 10%+VAT or less and include all re-let fees.
2. Remortgage while buy-to-let rates are dropping
   Sub-4% deals are widely available. Even a modest rate drop saves £100–£300 per property per month.
3. Consider interest-only mortgages (where it fits your plans)
   Dramatically improves monthly cashflow. Capital can be repaid later on sale or via planned overpayments.
4. Switch to specialist landlord insurance
   High-street policies often over-insure rebuild values and cost 20–40% more. Specialists almost always cut the premium and improve cover.
5. Insist on zero contractor mark-ups
   Some agents still add 10–25% to every maintenance invoice. Choose an arrangement where you pay only the tradesperson’s actual charge.
6. Minimise void periods
   Start marketing 8–10 weeks before notice ends and price at the top of the current market. One less void week per year usually beats the entire tax rise.
7. Keep good tenants for the long term
   Every extra year a reliable tenant stays saves £1,500–£4,000 in lost rent, fees, cleaning and compliance.

Landlords who action just three or four of these steps could finish the year stronger than before the Budget. 

Need a quick, no-obligation check of where you could save the most?

Call or email — happy to help.

Richard Burgoyne
Cornerstone Letting Agents
2 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh EH3 8JQ
0131 535 1072 | richard@cornerstoneletting.co.uk
LARN:1809021

Example – Edinburgh 2-bed flat, rent £1,300 pcm