Kimberley Harmer, a Conservative activist and small landlord, warns that proposed tax increases and regulations risk driving responsible landlords out of the market, potentially deepening Britain’s housing crisis amid calls for balanced rental laws.
Government policies framed as tenant protections risk backfiring by driving small landlords out of the rental market, warns Kimberley Harmer, a Conservative activist and landlord with three rental properties. Writing in Conservative Home, Harmer cautions that some measures, including potential tax increases like applying National Insurance contributions to rental income, could cause unintended harm to the very families the policies aim to help. She argues that such financial pressures may force responsible small landlords to sell their homes, shrinking housing supply and increasing rents, ultimately exacerbating the housing crisis.
Harmer’s warning comes amid media speculation that the Chancellor might extend National Insurance charges to rental income in the upcoming Autumn Budget. She estimates that this could cost landlords hundreds of pounds per property annually. The financial hit, combined with rising selective licensing fees, possible changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), and escalating mortgage costs, risks pushing small landlords out of the market altogether. This, she argues, would leave tenants more vulnerable and taxpayers bearing the social costs of homelessness and housing shortages.
The Conservative activist emphasises that private landlords play a vital role in Britain’s housing system, particularly small landlords who often provide stable, long-term homes for families. She urges policymakers to adopt a regulatory and tax framework that supports investment in rental properties rather than punishing responsible landlords. Her stance echoes broader concerns voiced by housing experts and politicians, such as Conservative shadow housing minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook, who has warned that the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, while well-intentioned, could lead to a reduction in available rental housing and upward pressure on rents due to landlords exiting the market. Critics argue that blanket regulations fail to distinguish between negligent landlords and those who maintain their properties and support tenants, potentially penalising the latter unfairly.
The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to enhance tenant protections but has faced opposition from landlord groups and industry voices who fear it may worsen the housing shortage. A petition circulating on Change.org further illustrates public concern, calling for balanced rental policies to avoid a market collapse that would hurt both tenants and landlords alike.
The situation echoes challenges small landlords faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when eviction moratoriums and financial strain forced many to sell properties, reducing housing supply and pushing rents higher. Industry data from that period shows how disruptions to rental income can have significant downstream effects on housing availability and affordability for tenants.
In this context, Harmer’s plea is for a measured approach: regulations that protect tenants while preserving the incentives for small landlords to continue investing in rental homes. She insists that “housing policy should reward responsibility, not punish it,” warning against politically motivated tax hikes that risk making small landlords disappear from the market entirely. Supporting rather than taxing landlords, she argues, is essential to securing a stable future for Britain’s rental housing sector and the families who rely on it.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was first published on 15th October 2025. Similar content appeared on 8th October 2025 in LandlordZONE, authored by Kimberley Harmer, discussing concerns over potential National Insurance contributions on rental income. ([landlordzone.co.uk](https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/warning-dont-tax-small-landlords-out-of-existence?utm_source=openai)) The Property118 article references this earlier piece, indicating the content is not entirely original. However, the Property118 article provides additional context and updates, suggesting a moderate freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes from Kimberley Harmer in the Property118 article match those in the earlier LandlordZONE piece, indicating reuse of content. The wording is identical, with no variations found. This suggests the quotes are not original to the Property118 article.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The Property118 article cites Kimberley Harmer’s piece on Conservative Home, a reputable platform. However, the article also references other sources, such as LandlordZONE and The Negotiator, which are less well-known. The presence of multiple sources with varying reputations affects the overall reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The concerns raised about potential National Insurance contributions on rental income align with ongoing discussions in the property sector. Reports from August 2025 indicate that the UK Treasury is considering applying National Insurance to rental income in the upcoming Autumn Budget. ([propertyportfolioinvestor.co.uk](https://propertyportfolioinvestor.co.uk/news/national-insurance-rental-income-autumn-budget/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s claims are plausible and consistent with current policy debates.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative largely recycles content from earlier publications, with identical quotes and similar themes. While it provides some updates, the lack of original content and reliance on less reputable sources diminish its credibility. The plausibility of the claims is supported by existing policy discussions, but the overall assessment is negative due to the recycled nature of the content.
