Guaranteed Rent in an Uncertain Economy: Key Takeaways from the Autumn Statement Briefing

Guaranteed Rent in an Uncertain Economy

Last week, our Finance Manager and Trainee Solicitor attended a post-Budget debrief hosted by British Chartered Financial Analyst Louise Cooper. The event broke down the government’s Autumn Statement and what it signals for the year ahead.

Here’s what they took from the session and what it means for landlords, agents and the wider property sector.

The economy is under pressure

Growth remains slow, inflation is still weighing on households, and interest rates aren’t expected to fall dramatically any time soon. Forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility continue to assume productivity gains that haven’t been delivered in over a decade.

The gap between government expectations and real-world performance is growing. For landlords, that means staying cautious and planning for low growth conditions, rising costs, and continued pressure on tenant affordability.

Public finances are stretched

Borrowing is up 8.4% this year, with total debt near historic highs. Roughly one in every ten pounds of tax revenue is now spent on debt interest. That limits the government’s ability to invest in housing or support local authorities - many of whom are already relying heavily on the private sector to meet demand.

The result: higher reliance on PRS supply, but little additional support for landlords operating in it.

Tax policy is getting tighter

This Budget represents one of the biggest tax-raising events in recent UK history, relative to GDP. And the pressure is increasingly falling on workers and income earners. While not yet confirmed, there was specific mention at the event of the possibility that National Insurance could be applied to rental income in the future - something landlords should keep an eye on.

Salary-sacrifice arrangements and student loan thresholds are also being quietly tightened, reducing disposable income at a time when tenants are already stretched.

Workforce issues are having knock-on effects

Around 9 million working-age adults are classed as economically inactive. Meanwhile, the National Living Wage has increased by over 50% in the last six years. This creates compression in the job market - where lower-skilled roles see sharp increases in pay while mid-level roles stagnate.

For landlords and agents, this is already showing up in contractor availability, rising labour costs, and slower turnarounds on repairs and compliance.

Why guaranteed rent is a smart move in this environment

When costs are rising and market confidence is shaky, guaranteed rent offers something most letting models can’t: financial predictability.

With Apex:

• You don’t lose money to void periods

• You’re protected from arrears

• You avoid re-letting and management fees

• You operate outside of the Renters Reform Bill’s tenancy restrictions

• Your income is fixed - even when the market isn’t

  
  

For landlords looking to cut risk and simplify their income stream, now is a sensible time to explore alternatives to the traditional letting model.

Talk to us about securing your rental income in 2026

📧 propertyteam@apexhousingsolutions.co.uk📞 0203 030 4241