Budget 2025: Hunter Jones Group CEO, Reece Mennie, Comments in the Entrepreneur

"...Property market reaction

Reece Mennie, CEO of Hunter Jones Group says being a landlord has been far from lucrative in recent years, with tax hikes, regulatory pressures and higher borrowing costs eroding margins. "This year's Budget delivers yet another hammer blow. While landlords escaped a rumoured National Insurance increase, a 2% rise in tax on property income from April 2027 will push many to consider selling up. The biggest losers, however, will be tenants. Reduced landlord confidence inevitably means shrinking rental stock, rising rents and fewer options in an already strained market. Far from easing pressures on 'working people', this Budget risks deepening the rental crisis.

For property investors, the message from the Chancellor is clear - relying on traditional buy-to-let is becoming increasingly unviable. Those seeking strong, predictable returns will need to think seriously about diversifying. The 2025 budget has further highlighted the advantages of alternative property investments, also known as property bonds, when it comes to attracting the highest returns and avoiding additional taxes put in place by the Government. The attraction of ISAs has consistently been diminished in recent years, and a reduction in the level of tax-free savings from £20,000 to £12,000 (for under 65s) will no doubt contribute further to more people seeking a different, more profitable, method of investing. For those with properties worth more than £2.5m, there will be an additional £2,500 charge on top of existing council tax payments, with a £5,000 surcharge for owners whose property is worth more than £7.5m. The good news is that those looking to invest don't need to be stuck with these unfavourable options, as property bonds avoid all of the pitfalls that have been created through successive budgets which have significantly impacted the returns individuals can expected to receive from more traditional methods."..."

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