With the Autumn Budget taking place on 28th October 2026, homeowners, landlords and leaseholders will be watching closely for announcements that could affect the cost of owning, managing and investing in property.
With this in mind, our Landlord Insurance and Block of Flats Insurance teams have taken a look at some of the key areas property owners, landlords and investors may want to keep an eye on ahead of the Budget.
When is the Autumn Budget 2026?
The Autumn Budget will take place on Wednesday 28th October 2026.
The Chancellor will set out the Government’s plans for taxation and public spending, with any new measures potentially affecting households, businesses and the wider property market.
New support for first-time buyers
One of the biggest recent housing announcements is the proposed “Your First Home” scheme, designed to help more first-time buyers get onto the property ladder.
The Government has announced that the scheme is expected to support eligible first-time buyers in England purchasing participating new-build properties with a deposit of 2.5%, backed by a 20% government equity loan.
The scheme is expected to include household income limits and local property price caps, while developers will also be expected to contribute when joining the scheme.
Further details, including costs and implementation, are due to be confirmed at the Autumn Budget.
If introduced as planned, the scheme could increase demand for new-build homes and provide a boost to parts of the housing market.
Property taxes: what could change in the Autumn Budget?
Tax is likely to be one of the biggest areas of interest when the Chancellor delivers the Budget.
For property owners, some of the key areas to watch include Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax. There has been speculation about possible changes to some of these taxes, although nothing new has been confirmed at the time of writing.
Capital Gains Tax is particularly relevant to landlords and property investors when selling a property that has increased in value. Landlords and property investors will also be watching for any changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax, including the higher rates that apply when purchasing additional properties.
A High Value Council Tax Surcharge has already been announced for residential properties in England worth £2 million or more. The surcharge is currently planned to come into effect from April 2028, with further details still to be confirmed.
For now, it’s important to separate confirmed Government policy from media reports and speculation. The position could become clearer when the Chancellor delivers the Budget on 28th October.
Tax changes landlords already need to know about
Not all of the changes affecting landlords are waiting for the Autumn Budget. Some measures have already been announced and are due to come into effect over the next few years.
From April 2027, separate Income Tax rates for property income are due to increase by two percentage points. The rates are set to be 22% for basic-rate taxpayers, 42% for higher-rate taxpayers and 47% for additional-rate taxpayers.
For landlords receiving rental income, these changes could affect the amount of tax payable on rental profits and may be a factor when considering the future profitability of a property investment.
Landlords should also be aware of the ongoing rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. From April 2026, the requirements apply to landlords and other individuals with qualifying income above £50,000, with the threshold due to fall to £30,000 from April 2027.
Those affected may need to keep digital records and provide quarterly updates to HMRC. While these changes are separate from the Autumn Budget, they form part of the wider changes landlords are already having to prepare for.
What could the Autumn Budget mean for landlords and property investors?
The private rented sector continues to experience significant change.
Alongside potential Budget announcements, landlords are already adapting to reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act, as well as evolving requirements around tenant protections, property standards and rental property management.
For buy-to-let landlords and property investors, changes to taxation, property income or investment incentives could influence long-term investment decisions. Wider economic policies could also affect borrowing costs, housing demand and property values.
As operating costs continue to rise, it’s important for landlords to regularly review their arrangements, including maintenance responsibilities, compliance obligations and Landlord Insurance cover.
Having the right insurance in place can help protect against risks including property damage, loss of rent and landlord liability claims.
What could the Autumn Budget mean for leaseholders, freeholders and blocks of flats?
Leasehold and property management reforms remain an important area to watch.
Further reforms aimed at improving protections for leaseholders and increasing oversight of property management practices could affect leaseholders, freeholders and resident management companies responsible for residential buildings.
The Government is already progressing wider reforms intended to give leaseholders greater transparency over service charges, building insurance and property management. Further measures are also planned around the regulation of property agents and the information that landlords and managing agents must provide.
While these reforms are separate from the Autumn Budget itself, any further announcements affecting housing, property ownership or the costs of managing residential buildings could add to the changes already taking place across the sector.
For those involved in managing apartment buildings, appropriate Block of Flats Insurance can help protect the building structure and common areas against a range of risks.
As regulations continue to evolve, it’s important to ensure insurance arrangements reflect the needs of the building and its occupants.
Could the 2026 Autumn Budget affect property insurance?
While Budget headlines often focus on tax and housing policy, property owners should also consider the impact of wider economic changes on insurance.
Inflation, labour shortages and rising construction costs can all affect the cost of rebuilding a property following a major loss. This means that a buildings sum insured that was accurate several years ago may no longer reflect today’s rebuilding costs.
For homeowners, landlords, freeholders and property management companies, regularly reviewing insurance arrangements can help reduce the risk of underinsurance.
Keep an eye on the Budget
While the full details won’t be known until Budget Day, staying informed can help investors make more confident decisions as the market evolves.
Whether you’re purchasing your first home, growing a property portfolio or managing a residential block, keeping up to date with changes and regularly reviewing your insurance arrangements can help ensure you’re prepared for whatever lies ahead.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
About Lansdown Insurance Brokers
Lansdown Insurance Brokers are specialists in Landlord Insurance and Block of Flats Insurance, helping landlords, freeholders, resident management companies and property owners protect their investments.
Whether you own a buy-to-let property, manage a residential block or are responsible for arranging buildings insurance, our experienced team can help you find suitable cover for your needs.
Call 01242 524498 or email enquiries@lansdowninsurance.com to speak with a member of the team.
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