CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves was warned she will hit tenants if the Treasury pursues plans to hike taxes on landlords.
She is considering putting National Insurance on rental income to fill a £50billion black hole at the autumn Budget.
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But housing experts blasted the move.
TV property show presenter Kirstie Allsopp, said: “This is tenant bashing under the guise of landlord bashing. It’s like having the economy run by Baldrick.”
Ben Beadle, of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “This will hit the very households the Government wants to protect.”
Earlier in the week, The Sun reported that firms were bracing themselves for a £2.5billion Labour tax double whammy.
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They would be clobbered twice — first by an inflation rate increase in business rates in April, then by a Rachel Reeves surcharge, experts said.
Business rates are the property tax that companies must pay just to occupy their shops, pubs, factories and offices.
The Tories warned thousands of struggling firms would be crippled.
Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly said: “Once again, Labour is hammering the high street. Raising business rates for thousands of hard-working small businesses across England was one of Labour’s first acts in office.
“And despite our opposition to it, and clear evidence of the damaging impact it will have, they have pressed ahead — consequences be damned.”
The first squeeze would come in April when bills rise automatically with inflation.
The Bank of England expects the rate will hit four per cent next month.
Global tax firm Ryan said that would add £1.11billion to business rates across England.
The second blow would come when Chancellor Ms Reeves introduces a supplementary multiplier on larger premises next year.
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