Intro
One difference that trips up landlords moving property into Wales for the first time: the fees you’re allowed to charge a tenant. In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 restricts most add-on charges. Wales got there first and went further — the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019 has banned non-permitted fees, including things like separate “pet fees”, since before England’s equivalent came into force. If you’re used to England’s rules, it’s worth re-checking what’s actually permitted here rather than assuming it transfers across. As a Rent Smart Wales–licensed, Propertymark-accredited agency, keeping track of exactly where the two systems differ is part of what we’re required to stay on top of. RKEA standards and memberships. Full accreditations and what they mean →
Property Moves of October
– The Autumn Budget lands 28th October — and property taxation is one of the most speculated-about areas, though nothing is confirmed. We’re not going to pretend otherwise: this section will be updated the moment anything is announced.
– The one change that is already confirmed: a 2 percentage point rise on rental income tax, legislated to take effect from April 2027. It applies from that tax year regardless of Budget announcements — worth planning around now rather than waiting. This is a 2% rise on all rates – basic, higher and additional. To check the rental income tax changes of 2027 we suggest the gov.uk guidance pages.
– Market activity remains elevated heading into the Budget — several agents are reporting landlords choosing to get current valuations and run the numbers now, under known rules, rather than waiting through weeks of speculation.
Compliance corner: Getting your numbers ready.
Whatever the Budget brings, the landlords in the strongest position on 29 October will be the ones who already know their numbers — current valuation, rental yield, and a clear view of what the confirmed April 2027 income tax change does to their margin. That’s groundwork you can do today, independent of what gets announced.
Get ahead of it
Landlords who’ve already run their numbers get to make a calm decision either way; everyone else is deciding under pressure.
Assessment