General election split as landlords remain undecided and tenants lean towards Labour

With just a day to go until the general election, landlords are still undecided on who to vote for.

A study by online letting agents OpenRent reveals that 30% of landlords haven’t made up their minds yet, while tenants are leaning more towards Labour.

The survey, conducted nationwide, gathered responses from 20,000 landlords and 20,000 tenants.

Widespread dissatisfaction of current government

The research reveals that 25.9% of landlords plan to vote for the Conservatives, followed by 15.3% for the Labour Party and 14.4% for Reform UK.

Housing and rental market policies are also important for landlords, with 44.2% rating them as “Very important” in their voting decision.

However, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the current government’s handling of these issues, as 38.2% of landlords feel “Very dissatisfied” and 36.4% are “Dissatisfied”.

Reducing tax brudens

Landlords have some priority policies for the next government. A big one is reducing tax burdens on rental income, with 64.3% supporting this.

They also want better protection against tenant damage and rent arrears (62.1%) and faster, easier eviction process(60.4%). More favourable mortgage interest tax relief is important to more than half of landlords (50.5%).

Plus, 31.2% are looking for financial incentives to maintain and upgrade rental properties, and 30.5% want funding for energy efficiency upgrades.

Real people with real problems

Adam Hyslop, founder of OpenRent, says renters and landlords are frustrated with current policies.

He said: “Housing is one of the biggest issues for voters, and the country. Our unprecedented survey shows significant dissatisfaction with government policy from both tenants and landlords alike.

“These are real people, with real problems, and whichever party wins should take the concerns expressed by both sides of the rental market very seriously.”

Tenants want rent controls

According to the survey, 37.8% of tenants intend to vote for Labour, while a significant 32.5% are still undecided.

The Green Party follows with 8.4%, while the Conservatives lag behind at 5.3%.

Renters are also calling for several policy changes leading the list are rent controls or rent caps, supported by 67.5%. Better support for low-income tenants and housing benefits is backed by 54.1%, and 45% want more affordable housing to be built.

Stronger tenant rights and protections are important to 41.6%, and 32.5% are calling for better standards for property maintenance and repairs.

Also, 26.6% of renters want longer and more secure tenancies.

OpenRent points out that despite strong campaigning for the abolition of Section 21, only about a quarter of tenants expressed interest in “longer and more secure” tenancies in the survey.

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