Clients of independent financial advisers are changing course as they brace for the UK Budget, according to new polling by market research firm Opinium. Advisers report “significant concerns” from households and investors, prompting defensive moves and fresh scrutiny of financial plans. A quarter of IFAs surveyed (26%) say clients are selling private rental properties ahead of the announcement. More than three quarters (77%) say clients feel worried, with many seeking clarity on potential policy shifts that could affect tax bills, investment returns, and long-term plans. The figures point to a mood of caution across the advice market as families, landlords, and retirees try to protect their finances during a period of uncertainty.
The findings emerged in the UK on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, as the government prepared to set out its fiscal plans. Opinium’s polling indicates a broad-based response from advisers to the looming Budget, with property decisions standing out as a clear sign of how worries translate into action.
Property exits signal a defensive turn among clients
Opinium’s data shows 26% of IFAs report clients selling private rental properties ahead of the Budget. That behaviour suggests landlords and investors want to lock in gains, reduce exposure to policy risk, or simplify balance sheets. Many landlords face higher borrowing costs than in recent years, and they continue to weigh the impact of past tax changes. In this climate, some clients appear to choose certainty over potential future returns.
Advisers say clients often reassess property holdings when they fear tax changes or tighter rules could erode yields. The private rental market also remains sensitive to shifts in sentiment. When mortgage costs rise and rules move, landlords tighten their models or step back. The move to sell, while not universal, highlights how policy risk can ripple through real assets well before any formal announcement.
Widespread anxiety shapes decisions across portfolios
The poll finds 77% of IFAs reporting client worries as the Budget approaches. That level of concern influences how families and investors plan. People review spending, revisit savings goals, and question how much risk they can accept. Many seek reassurance from their advisers and request scenario planning for possible changes to tax, pensions, or allowances.
This behaviour fits a familiar pattern. When policy uncertainty builds, clients look for flexibility and liquidity. They want to understand how different Budget outcomes could affect take-home income, retirement plans, and investment strategies. Advisers address those concerns by mapping options, testing trade-offs, and setting decision points that they can trigger once the Chancellor delivers the speech.
What clients and advisers will watch in the Budget
Budgets often bring changes that affect day-to-day finances and long-term plans. Advisers and clients will watch for any moves on income tax thresholds and allowances, capital gains tax rules, and the treatment of dividends and property. They will also track any signals on pensions, including annual allowances and access rules, which can shape retirement decisions for years.
Investors will look for clarity on savings incentives, such as ISAs, and on business taxation that affects company owners and contractors. Landlords will assess any measures that touch property gains, rental income, or compliance costs. Even modest adjustments in these areas can shift net returns and tilt decisions on whether to hold, buy, or sell assets.
Why landlords sit at the centre of the story
The rental sector reacts quickly to changes in the financial climate. Higher borrowing costs since 2022 have raised the bar for buy-to-let returns. Previous tax measures also reduced the value of some reliefs and allowances for property investors, which made the arithmetic tougher for geared landlords. In this environment, policy uncertainty compounds pressure and can push owners to reduce exposure.
When landlords sell, the effects spread. Tenants may face tighter supply. Local markets can see more stock for sale. Lenders reassess risk appetite and pricing. Advisers track these shifts closely because many households hold property as part of their long-term wealth, either directly or through family interests. Property decisions often carry tax consequences, so timing and structure matter.
The role of IFAs during volatile periods
Independent financial advisers operate under Financial Conduct Authority rules and must act in clients’ best interests. During uncertain periods, they focus on robust planning. They help clients build buffers, diversify risk, and use available tax allowances. They also stress the value of disciplined processes rather than knee-jerk reactions to headlines.
Many IFAs prepare clients with pre- and post-Budget checklists. They set out actions that make sense regardless of the announcement, and they flag choices that depend on what ministers decide. This approach gives clients control. It also reduces the chance of costly mistakes, such as selling assets without a plan for proceeds, crystallising gains at the wrong time, or missing allowances at the end of the tax year.
Opinium’s snapshot and what it reveals
Opinium’s poll offers a timely snapshot of sentiment in the advice community. It shows a clear rise in caution as the Budget nears and highlights property as a focal point. The 26% figure for reported sales of private rental properties indicates that a notable share of clients want to de-risk or reposition. The 77% figure for reported worries underscores broad concern that crosses age groups and wealth levels.
While the poll does not predict specific policy moves, it signals where advisers see pressure points. Clients seek certainty on tax and rules that shape investment returns. They also value clear communication from both government and advisers. In the days around a Budget, that desire for clarity often drives higher demand for advice and more frequent reviews.
How savers and investors can prepare now
Clients who feel anxious can still act methodically. Advisers often suggest updating cashflow plans, checking emergency savings, and reviewing asset allocation against risk tolerance. They also encourage clients to list priorities—such as retirement income, property needs, or education costs—so that any Budget-related changes feed into a clear plan, not an impulsive shift.
Savers can also review how they use existing allowances and wrappers. Efficient structures can cushion the impact of policy change. After the Budget, advisers and clients can adjust swiftly if needed. A step-by-step process helps people respond to facts rather than speculation.
As the country waits for the Budget, the advice market sends a plain message: uncertainty drives action. Opinium’s polling shows clients already moving, with property sales and a surge in anxiety shaping decisions. IFAs will continue to translate policy into practical steps, helping households and investors protect their positions. The
