The industry’s main trade body for lettings agents is telling its members to let the BBC know if they believe the private rental sector is under attack from policy makers.
ARLA Propertymark has been asked by the BBC to conduct research into the private rented sector and what lies behind the current shortage of stock.
Propertymark says that anecdotally agents have been telling of unhappy landlords selling small and large numbers of investments alike.
A statement from the trade body says: “With the UK government’s Renters’ Reforms White Paper looming, the consultation on A New Deal for Tenants in Scotland and legislation coming into force including the Renting Homes (Wales) Act and the Private Tenancies Bill in Northern Ireland it seems no landlord or agent is safe from the heat.”
Nathan Emerson, Propertymark’s chief executive comments: “Through our contacts we have been offered the opportunity to put this issue onto a national platform and present our side of the story.
“The housing system needs a balance of tenures, and the value the private rented sector brings must not be underestimated. Landlords provide much needed homes and the country cannot afford to lose them.
“We have an immense opportunity to get some solid evidence in front of decision makers and huge media outlets.”
The survey is open to the whole sector and Propertymark says it will provide significant information for use in conversations with governments and politicians when lobbying for the sector against detrimental proposals as well as by the media.
Propertymark says: “If you think the PRS is under attack from policy makers add your voice. Be Heard Here."
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We are a small family business in North Wales which has been established since 1967, our services include residential property management and block management. Our available properties to let is reducing as some landlords decide to sell as the cost we have had to increase to them as we are not able to cover some of this cost from the tenants. As there is a shortage of private lets the rents have increased in some cases by more than 20%. We spend hours to administer everything in the correct way to comply with the raft of regulation which is forever changing
The question is what will the BBC do with the information? Will it be a programme attacking the government or "greedy" landlords? Will ARLA have the chance to see it and put their side at the end? Does it sound like I don't trust the BBC? That is because I don't.
You're spot-on. I know of exactly that scenario. Landlords beware of BBC saying one thing and producing another!
As a landlord with rental properties in Brighton and Peterborough. I am alarmed by the high costs the government is putting on the private rental sector, transferring all costs to landlords and impacting heavily on Letting Agents. Everything now gives powers to the tenant ,creating conflicts and forcing many Landlords to sell their properties, impacting on Letting Agents and reducing much needed housing !
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