Keeping track of important dates is necessary for landlords aiming to stay informed and compliant throughout 2025.
With the Renters’ Rights Bill making its way through parliament, the possible end of Section 21 evictions, and the five-year mark since EICR rules came into effect, there’s plenty to stay on top of.
Here, we’ll highlight the key dates you need to know to make things easier for you. We’ll also keep this article updated throughout the year, so you’ll always be in the know.
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Your landlord calendar for 2025
January
1st January – New energy price cap starts
Ofgem has confirmed that energy bills for those on price-capped tariffs will go up by about 1.2% from this day.
A typical home using a standard amount of gas and electricity is expected to pay around £1,738 a year on a variable tariff. This means an extra £21 a year for the average household.
14th January – The Renters’ Rights Bill moves on to the House of Lords
Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill has completed the report stage and third reading in the House of Commons, and will now be considered in the House of Lords.
While there are still a few steps to go before it becomes law, it’s hard to say if there will be any big changes. It could be a few months before it’s put into action.
31st January – Self-assessment tax return deadline
Landlords who need to submit their self-assessment tax returns must do so by Friday, 31st January 2025. For more information on the expenses you can claim against your taxes, check out our helpful blog post.
February
6th February – Bank of England sets base rate
The base rate is the rate that affects how much it costs to borrow money and how much interest you earn on your savings, set by the Bank of England.
After reaching 5.25% in 2023, the base rate has now been lowered to 4.75% because inflation is starting to ease.
The BoE’s governor, Andrew Bailey, has stated there could be up to four quarter-point interest rate cuts in 2025.
March
26th March – The Office for Budget and Responsibility releases spring forecast
The OBR will release the Economic and Fiscal Forecast which typically offers important insights into the UK’s economic outlook and future government policies.
It seems there won’t be a spring budget in 2025, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves has committed to holding one major fiscal event each year. The next budget is likely to take place in the autumn.
April
1st April – Stamp duty ‘holiday’ ends
The temporary increases to stamp duty land tax thresholds introduced in September 2022 will come to an end.
This means that:
- The threshold at which no stamp duty is paid will drop back to £125,000 from £250,000.
- For first-time buyers, the threshold will return to £300,000 from £425,000.
- The maximum purchase price for claiming First-Time Buyers Relief will go back to £500,000, from £625,000.
1st April – Changes to household bills
A range of household bills are set to increase from the start of April.
For example, water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by an average of £86 from April, according to the regulator Ofwat.
Moreover, local authorities will now be able to increase council tax by up to 5% without holding a local referendum, which would usually be required.
This could mean an increase of over £100 for the average household, rising above the rate of inflation. If you include bills in the rent for your properties, it’s important to budget for these potential council tax hikes.
On the energy front, Cornwall Insight forecasts a slight decrease in energy bills from January. For a typical dual fuel household, energy costs are expected to drop by 1.4%, bringing the average annual bill down to £1,713.
1st April – Minimum wage increase comes into effect
The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over will increase by 77p to £12.21 an hour. Younger workers also see an increase, with the minimum wage for 18-20-year-olds going up from £8.60 to £10.
The rise in the 18-20-year-old rate aims to narrow the gap between that and the NLW, with plans to extend the adult rate to this group in the future, according to the government.
6th April – New state pension and benefit rates
With the new tax year, benefits will rise by 1.7%, based on inflation figures from September 2024. State pensions, however, will increase by 4.1%, in line with the government’s triple lock system, which is set to make sure pensions grow with wages.
6th April – Warm Homes: Local Grant launches
A new Warm Homes grant is being introduced to help low-income homeowners and private tenants in England improve their energy efficiency. Landlords can support their tenants in applying for this grant.
It will run for three to five years and is being managed by local councils. It offers up to £30,000 per property – £15,000 for improving energy performance and another £15,000 for low-carbon heating upgrades. To qualify, the household income needs to be below £36,000.
June
1st June – Your EICR could be up for renewal
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) regulations came into force on 1st June 2020, meaning that five years have passed this year.
If your EICR is due for renewal, or if you’re purchasing a new property, now’s a good time to start planning, as demand for contractors could be very high. Be sure to book in advance to avoid delays and make sure your property remains compliant with safety regulations.
30th June – Mortgage guarantee scheme closes
The mortgage guarantee scheme, which helps people with just a 5% deposit buy homes worth up to £600,000, will close on 30th June. This scheme has been particularly helpful for first-time buyers or those struggling to save for a larger deposit.
July
31st July – Second payment on account deadline
Self-employed landlords must pay their second and final “payment on account” for the 2024/25 tax year by this date. This is an advance payment towards your tax bill, helping to spread the cost throughout the year.
October
5th October – Deadline to register for self-assessment
If you’re a new landlord renting out a property or have recently become self-employed, you need to make sure you register by this date to fulfil your tax obligations.
22nd October – Inflation figures announced
The inflation figures for September will be released in October. While inflation is shared every month, the September numbers are important because they’re used to decide how much benefits and state pensions will go up the following April.
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More changes you need to know about
Here are a few more things we expect to see this year:
- Autumn Budget – The Budget usually takes place in the autumn, and sets out the state of the economy as well as any proposed tax changes. In 2024, the Autumn Budget was on 30th October.
- EPC rules – Labour appears to be pushing for a new law requiring privately rented homes to have an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above. While no changes have been confirmed yet, we might hear more on this in 2025. For now, rental properties in England and Wales must meet a minimum EPC grade of ‘E’ to be let legally.
- Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 – Starting in January, the two-year rule will be scrapped, meaning that leaseholders can extend leases or buy the freehold straight away. Further down the line, it will also be easier for leaseholders to take control of managing their buildings, and there will be more focus on tackling unfair service charges and hidden fees.
- Property licensing – From 23rd December 2024, councils in England no longer need government approval to introduce selective licensing schemes. This could make it easier for councils to bring in licensing requirements for landlords, and we may see more councils considering this in the future.
