UK landlords worry about their future under Labour

UK landlords worry about their future under Labour

0:05 AM, 15th October 2024, About a month ago 2

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The future of the private rented sector (PRS) is a major worry for 75% of landlords, research reveals.

The findings from the Simply Business’s Landlord Report highlight that the year so far has been challenging for landlords.

They’ve seen increasing costs, evolving legislation and a new Labour government.

However, it is Labour’s victory in the July 2024 general election which has added to the uncertainty.

When asked about the new government’s impact on the rental market, 51% of landlords anticipated a very negative effect, 20% expected a slightly negative impact, 13% were unsure, 10% foresaw no impact, and only 6% predicted a positive outcome.

‘Need more clarity on regulations’

Simply Business’s chief operating officer, Bea Montoya, said: “Although most landlords welcome increased standards across the market, they need more clarity on regulations so they can prepare accordingly.

“And this starts with the Renters’ Right Bill, which marks the biggest changes to tenancy law in a generation.”

She added: “Insuring more than 300,000 landlords allows us to gain first-hand insight into the integral role they play in the housing market.

“But with three quarters of landlords concerned about the future of the private rental sector, it’s more important than ever to understand their challenges and perspective.”

Changing and confusing legislation

A major concern for 69% of landlords is the constantly changing and confusing legislation.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, which promises the most significant changes in decades, is a focal point.

Key provisions include banning Section 21 evictions, allowing tenants to keep pets, limiting rent increases to once a year, ending blanket bans on tenants with children or benefits, and prohibiting bidding wars on rental properties.

However, the proposed ban on Section 21 evictions remains contentious.

Landlords believe it will make evictions more costly and time-consuming (69%), drive landlords out of the market (62%), and only 5% think it will simplify evicting tenants who breach agreements.

Despite 71% of landlords never having used a Section 21 eviction, many view it as a crucial safety net.

The Warm Homes Plan for PRS homes

Landlords also have concerns over the Warm Homes Plan for PRS homes to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030.

This requirement will necessitate changes for 50% of landlords, with 11% needing to spend more than £10,000 and 34% between £1,000 and £10,000 to comply.

With significant legislative changes looming, many landlords are adopting a cautious approach.

Nearly 62% are not planning to sell in the next year, and the same percentage still see property letting as a worthwhile investment.

However, the next 12 months will be critical as the Renters’ Rights Bill progresses as to whether landlords sell or remain in the PRS, Simply Business says.


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Mick Roberts

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16:46 PM, 15th October 2024, About a month ago

I'd worry too with Ed Miliband changing the rules again & making thousands more tenants homeless that were otherwise safe:

I'll put this below I'm gonna' post the same on a few relevant articles & hope someone gets this to some boffin in power somewhere:

What if tenant was living in warm, no damp at all, 30% cheaper than market rent property?
And she already had latest boiler, windows, doors, kitchen etc.?
That was EPC D?
And she was perfectly happy?
And she's just decorated her living room gorgeous?
And Govt comes along & says we got to rip out all your nice decoration u just done.
Gonna' tread over all your new carpets.
5 builders in your home of 20 years for 2 weeks.
Make your house smaller.
But you will save £10pm gas bill.
And u will then be EPC C.
But it's gonna' cost your Landlord £10,000.
And that cheap rent you got, he not be able to afford you that any more, it's gonna' cost you £3000 per year more to bring in line with market rents.
Ooh & you gonna' get mould & condenstion next year cause this 1920's house wasn't made to be sweated up with all this internal insulation.
But we the Govt will look good to the voters as can say We are making loads of houses EPC C.
Ooh sorry we din't realise your Landlord din't want the house anyway, only keeping for you, and this last straw has pushed him over the edge & he's now gonna' sell to make u homeless-Look on bright side, Council will put u & 5 kids in one room in hotel that will be EPC C & Council (well Taxpayer) will pay the £3000pm to the hotel group.
Am I Einstein or are Govt & Council's thick? Has anyone been to ask the tenants who HAVEN'T GOT A PROBLEM what they would like?

TERRY DAVIS

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8:40 AM, 17th October 2024, About a month ago

Red Ed is certifiably insane, and the other tools in FG2TK's cabinet are practising Student Union politics, driven by the politics of envy and virtual signalling. Sit back, relax, and hang onto your properties with diamond-hands, as this lot will descend into squabbling and infighting, so they'll do very little, and be out on their ears by 2030

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