Accountants for landlords and property investors

Property used to be simple: collect the rent, deduct the mortgage, pay tax on what’s left. Not any more. Between Section 24, the scrapping of the holiday-let rules, a higher stamp duty surcharge and Making Tax Digital on the way, the gap between the rent hitting your account and the profit you actually keep has quietly widened. A good property accountant closes that gap back up, legally, and makes sure nothing catches you out when you buy, hold or sell.

Reviewed July 2026. Property tax rules change often and depend on your circumstances. Always check GOV.UK or speak to us before acting.

What’s different about property tax

Rental income looks straightforward, but the tax around it has become a moving target. The mortgage interest you used to deduct in full no longer works that way. The special regime for holiday lets has gone. Buying another property costs more in stamp duty than it did. And from 2026, many landlords will have to report digitally every quarter. Miss one of these and it’s expensive; plan around them and you keep far more of your return. This is exactly the kind of thing a generalist accountant, juggling every trade under the sun, tends to skate over.

Section 24: the mortgage-interest change that stings

If you own property in your own name, you can no longer deduct your mortgage interest from your rental income the way you once could. Instead, you get a 20% tax credit on those finance costs. For a basic-rate taxpayer that roughly evens out, but for a higher-rate landlord it can mean a noticeably larger tax bill on the same rent, and in some cases tax due even when cash flow is tight. Companies are treated differently and can still offset mortgage interest in full, which is one reason so many landlords ask us the “should I incorporate?” question below.

Selling up: capital gains and the 60-day rule

When you sell a residential investment property at a profit, Capital Gains Tax applies at 18% for basic-rate and 24% for higher-rate taxpayers, after your annual tax-free allowance (now just £3,000). The catch that trips people up is timing: a taxable gain on UK residential property must be reported and the tax paid within 60 days of completion, through HMRC’s online service. Miss that window and there’s an automatic penalty, with more added the longer it runs. We prepare the calculation, claim every relief and cost you’re entitled to, and file it on time, so a sale doesn’t turn into a scramble.

Should you hold property in a company?

This is the biggest planning question in property right now, and the honest answer is “it depends”. A limited company sidesteps Section 24 and can retain profits for reinvestment, which suits landlords building a portfolio. But moving existing properties into a company can trigger Stamp Duty and Capital Gains Tax, company mortgages often cost more, and there’s extra admin. There is no one-size answer, and getting it wrong is costly. We run the actual numbers for your situation before you commit either way.

Furnished holiday lets: the goalposts moved

If you let a holiday property, the ground shifted in April 2025 when the special furnished-holiday-lettings regime was abolished. Income and gains from these properties are now taxed as ordinary property income, so the capital allowances and reliefs holiday lets used to enjoy have largely gone. If you have a holiday let, your tax position has changed whether you noticed or not, and it’s worth a review.

Making Tax Digital is coming for landlords

From April 2026, landlords with gross rental (plus any trading) income over £50,000 must keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates through compatible software, with lower thresholds following in 2027 and 2028. It’s a real change to how you report, and we get you set up so it’s painless rather than a panic. Our MTD for Income Tax guide explains the detail.

What we handle for you

On one fixed monthly fee: your rental accounts and Self Assessment, correct treatment of Section 24, allowable expenses claimed in full, Capital Gains Tax computations and 60-day filing when you sell, advice on holding property personally or through a company, and getting you MTD-ready. One dedicated accountant, our 3-hour email promise, and plain-English answers, whether you have one flat or a growing portfolio.

Why landlords choose Xpert

Most landlords come to us either after an “accidental” letting they’re now unsure how to declare, or because their portfolio has outgrown a once-a-year accountant who never mentions planning. We’re proactive: fixed fees, a real person who knows your properties, no long tie-ins, and we handle the switch from your current accountant for you.

Own a rental, or building a portfolio? Take our 2-minute quiz or book a free consultation, and we’ll show you where you stand and where you can save.