2015–2020
Section 24
Mortgage interest relief for individual landlords was phased out and replaced with a basic-rate tax credit. Higher-rate landlords lost part of their main deduction.
For UK landlords
Own a UK buy-to-let? Find out what it's really worth to you.
The rules for UK landlords have changed a great deal in the last ten years. We help you decide whether to hold, sell or reinvest, starting with the numbers on the property you own.
What's changed for landlords
2024
5% stamp duty surcharge
From 31 October 2024, the surcharge on buying an additional home in England went up from 3% to 5%.
2026
No-fault evictions ended
Since 1 May 2026, Section 21 evictions have been abolished in England, tenancies have become rolling, and rent can only rise once a year through a process tenants can challenge.
2027
Higher tax on rent
Separate, higher income tax rates on rental profits start in April 2027, and the Budget on 28 October 2026 raised them again.
England. Tax depends on your own circumstances; we'll introduce you to a tax adviser before you decide anything.
How we help you decide
Four steps, in order. You can stop at any of them, and the answer may well be to keep what you have.
- 1
Work out the ten-year outlook for your property
We start with LEXIT, our sister platform for buy-to-let landlords. It analyses your property after tax, forecasts how it is likely to perform over the next ten years under today's rules, and shows whether it is underperforming.
- 2
Find out what portfolio buyers would pay
We take the property to investors who buy tenanted buy-to-let homes, to see what they are likely to pay with the tenant in place. If you like the answer, you have a clean exit. If not, we move to step 3.
- 3
Look at a structured exit
There are other ways out: a sale to your tenant, or a long lease to an operator, with the long-term income then sold to an investor.
- 4
Or hold, and run it hard
If none of these makes sense, the right answer may be to keep the property for the long term and get the most from it: tighter costs, the right rent at each annual review, and a clear plan for the years ahead.
Start with LEXIT
See your property's after-tax performance and ten-year outlook under today's rules.
Or reinvest in Abu Dhabi
If selling makes sense, some landlords move the money somewhere the rules work in their favour. Here's how owning a rental home in Abu Dhabi compares.
The same money, in two markets
Most of our clients already own a UK buy-to-let. This is what changes when the next purchase is in Abu Dhabi instead.
UK buy-to-let
Abu Dhabi
- Tax on your rent
- UK buy-to-letIncome tax at 20%, 40% or 45%
- Abu DhabiNo UAE income tax on rent
- Mortgage interest
- UK buy-to-letRelief limited to a 20% tax credit (Section 24)
- Abu DhabiNo income tax to set it against, so no restriction
- Tax when you buy
- UK buy-to-letStamp duty, plus a 5% surcharge on additional homes
- Abu DhabiA 2% registration fee, and no stamp duty
- Residency
- UK buy-to-letNone
- Abu DhabiA 10-year Golden Visa from AED 2M of property
UK residents are taxed on their worldwide income, so UK tax can still be due on rent from Abu Dhabi. Rules as of November 2026. Your own position depends on where you live and how you own the property, so take tax advice; we can introduce you to an adviser.
Read the full comparison in our free guideGet your property reviewed
Tell us a little about what you own. We'll come back with what we'd look at first, and whether a portfolio buyer is likely to be interested.
- A reply within one working day
- No obligation to sell or buy
- Introductions to tax advisers before you decide
Questions landlords ask
Do I have to sell my UK property to invest in Abu Dhabi?
No. Some landlords sell and reinvest, some keep their UK property and buy alongside it, and some decide to hold and do nothing new. We start with the numbers on what you own, then talk about what fits.
Will I pay tax if I sell?
Capital gains tax is usually due on a profit from selling a buy-to-let, and how much depends on your own circumstances. Before you decide, we'll introduce you to a tax adviser who can work out your position.
What does LEXIT do?
LEXIT analyses your buy-to-let after tax and forecasts how it is likely to perform over the next ten years under today's rules. You can try it at lexit.tech, or we'll run it with you.
Can you find a buyer for my property?
We take suitable properties to investors who buy tenanted buy-to-let homes, so you can see what they are likely to pay with the tenant in place, before you commit to anything.
I'm still renting it out. Does that matter?
No. Portfolio buyers buy homes with tenants in place, and a structured exit can be designed around an existing tenancy.
General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. AngelBrics is a trading name of PRSIM Property Management L.L.C, a licensed real estate brokerage in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In the UK, AngelBrics works through PRS IM Limited.
Talk it through before you decide anything
A 30-minute video call with Ashley. Tell us what you own now and what you want it to do, and we'll tell you honestly whether Abu Dhabi fits.