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Group slams claim that private rental sector not fit for purpose
Original Author: Graham Norwood
An industry body has blasted an analysis of housing trends in England that claims the private rented sector is ‘not fit for purpose’.
The report from the Resolution Foundation argues that private sector tenants are more likely to face insecurity as a result of short term tenancies.
However, figures in the most recent English Housing Survey show that private sector tenants are spending an average of 4 years in their current property, up from 3.7 five years ago. Private sector tenants are also more satisfied with their accommodation than those in the social rented sector.
The Residential Landlords Association is warning that recent changes by the government to the way the private rented sector is taxed is adding to the burden of rents on tenants highlighted by the report.
The government’s case that buy to let is reducing the supply of housing available to would-be owners is undermined by the foundation which says that the sector has grown from 2.5 per cent to five per cent of all households over 10 years and has little impact on overall numbers.
“The evidence shows that tenants in the private rented sector are staying in their homes for longer. No landlord ever wants to lose a well behaved tenant who pays their rent on time” says Alan Ward, the RLA’s chairman.
