Private renters are significantly more positive about landlords than wider public debate might suggest, according to research from Yorkshire Building Society published 30 years after the launch of the first buy-to-let mortgage.
The study, based on a survey of 4,000 UK adults, found that renters were much more likely to describe their landlords as reasonable, approachable and fair than negligent or exploitative.
Among private tenants, 40% described their landlord as reasonable and the same proportion said they were approachable. A further 36% regarded their landlord as fair, while 29% said they were responsive.
By contrast, 9% described their landlord as negligent, 8% as unresponsive, 7% as unreasonable and 5% as exploitative.
ROLE OF THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR
The research forms part of Yorkshire Building Society’s latest policy paper, No Way Home? Restoring Britain’s Housing Ladder, and also examined attitudes towards the role of private landlords in the housing market.
Some 60% of respondents agreed that private landlords were important because they provided consumers with housing choice, while 72% said renting offered flexibility to people who did not want to buy a home.
When respondents were asked to describe landlords in their own words, frequently used terms included “good”, “professional”, “friendly” and “understanding”.
Tom Simpson, managing director of homes at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Landlords are often portrayed negatively in public debate, yet our findings show a very different picture among those with direct experience of renting, demonstrating a clear disconnect between perception and reality.
“The vast majority of landlords provide homes that tenants rely on every day, and most are viewed positively by the people living in their properties. While standards must always be maintained and poor practices challenged, it’s important that their contribution is recognised.
That’s why our No Way Home? report calls for support for responsible landlords to encourage them to provide and expand the supply of good-quality rental homes.
“At a time when demand for rental accommodation continues to outstrip supply, we believe that landlords play a crucial role in providing housing choice and flexibility for millions of people.”
BROKERS REPORT LANDLORD EXIT CONCERNS
The report comes as landlords face further changes to regulation and taxation, including renters’ reform legislation, licensing requirements, higher Stamp Duty Land Tax on additional properties and changes affecting the tax treatment of rental income.
Separate research conducted earlier this year by Accord Mortgages, Yorkshire Building Society’s intermediary lending arm, found that 21% of brokers believed landlords should be prioritised for government support. Landlords ranked behind only first-time buyers among the groups brokers thought most in need of intervention.
The same broker research suggested concerns over the future supply of privately rented homes. Some 56% of brokers said landlord clients were reducing the size of their portfolios, while 53% reported landlords leaving the private rented sector altogether.
With around one in five households in England living in privately rented accommodation, Yorkshire Building Society argued that retaining responsible landlords would remain important to the availability of homes for tenants.
Simpson added: “The conversation around housing should be balanced and evidence-based. Our research suggests that while perceptions of landlords can often be shaped by wider narratives, the lived experience of many renters is much more positive.
“As policymakers consider the future of the private rental sector, it’s vital to recognise the role responsible landlords play in helping to meet the UK’s housing need.”
