Industry body to lobby Treasury on tax before Autumn Statement

The Residential Landlords’ Association has revealed that it is to meet with Treasury officials ahead of next month’s Autumn Statement - with rowing back from the proposed buy to let tax changes high on the agenda.

In a statement on its website the association says while there has not been any decision on whether to appeal the recent High Court judgement denying a judicial review into the mortgage interest relief tax change, the association itself is keeping up political pressure. 

“There has been a surge of support from Tory backbenchers and the association is continuing to campaign, asking that MIR changes be scrapped, or at the very least applied to new borrowing only - a move that will minimise the impact of these changes on established landlords” says the RLA.

It says that in addition to meeting with Treasury representatives before November 23, there will also be a round table discussion between RLA representatives and Tory MPs and peers.

The association is also urging its members to contact their MPs “to explain the devastating impact that this unfair tax grab will have on them and their tenants.”  

“Hundreds of landlords have already backed the campaign, writing to and meeting with MPs and we are asking those who have not yet got involved to join them” says Alan Ward, RLA chairman. 

“We need a last push ahead of the Autumn Statement. We need to hammer home to the Government just how devastating these changes will be and we need to stand together to oppose this unjust tax and fight for a fair deal for the private rental sector landlord.”