PropTech ‘call to arms’ will demand urgent govern...

PropTech supplier Goodlord this week launches what it calls “a manifesto” demanding government help for the lettings industry.

Few details of the manifesto are being released ahead of Thursday’s launch but the firm says it comes from roundtables and events held with more than 1,000 letting agents, 300 landlords and 280 tenants over recent months.

It will showcase a picture of the industry’s core concerns and recommendations for government action.

The Renting Done Right manifesto follows an open letter from Goodlord earlier this year, which also demanded government action and which attracted over 1,100 signatures from letting agents and landlords.

It is thought that the manifesto will reveal that 79 per of landlords say there will be even less housing supply across the UK in the next five to 10 years. Some 81 per cent of agents say there is not enough clarity from the government regarding their medium to long-term plans for the lettings sector.

And 88 per cent of landlords are ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ worried about the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill, which is due to be passed in the coming weeks.

Goodlord chief executive William Reeve says: “Landlords, agents and tenants are facing the perfect storm. Rising costs and mortgage rates are meeting lack of stock head on, against a backdrop of ever more convoluted regulation.

“The lettings industry is of national importance, but it’s consistently overlooked by decision makers.

“We need the Government to take meaningful, wholesale action to address the concerns of all rental market stakeholders. If they don’t, we risk undermining the stability of this essential sector. We hope this manifesto, which was created in collaboration with landlords, agents and tenants, can act as a catalyst for change.”