The National Landlords Association has claimed that landlords are likely to face further cases of late payments when housing benefit changes start to take effect.

The body found that 52% of landlords have reported rent arrears in the past 12 months and believes that government cuts to housing benefit will put further pressure on tenants.

The survey of nearly 600 landlords found the average late paying tenant owed £730 in late rental payments.

The research also found 62% of landlords believe running a lettings business is becoming “more difficult””.