Share:

Are Landlords Really the Problem?

The government seems to have started with the assumption that landlords are the bad guys, profiteers taking advantage of tenants. But we know that’s not the whole picture.  

Most landlords aren’t huge investors sitting on portfolios of properties. Many are “accidental landlords,” renting out their homes for personal reasons. By painting all landlords with the same brush, these reforms risk pushing away the very people keeping the rental market alive.

The Real Issue: Not Enough Homes

The housing crisis isn’t about landlords charging high rents; it’s about the lack of properties on the market. High rents are just a symptom of the problem. But instead of addressing this shortage, the government’s reforms are actually making it harder for landlords to stay in the game, let alone new ones to join.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what landlords are up against:  

- Tougher energy efficiency rules: These include big upgrades like new boilers, insulation, and windows - expensive changes many landlords can’t afford.  

- Limited tax relief: Landlords can no longer offset mortgage interest against rental income.  

- Rising compliance costs: Managing a rental property is becoming more expensive and time-consuming.

Tenants May Not Win Either

The bill brings in new rights for tenants, like the ability to keep pets. Great news for tenants, right? Well, not so much.   

If a landlord has several applicants for a property, they’re likely to choose the one who seems the lowest risk. And let’s be honest - pets, imperfect credit scores, or a large family might make some tenants look riskier. On top of that, new rules will stop tenants from offering higher rent to stand out, which means they’ll have fewer ways to make a case for themselves.  

For landlords, it’s just another reason to consider stepping out of the rental market. And when landlords leave, fewer properties are available to rent, pushing rents even higher.  

Letting Agents Want the Rental Market to Thrive 

Letting agents often get accused of being on the side of landlords, but that’s not the case. The truth is, we want the private rental market to thrive. More homes mean happier tenants and successful landlords.  

But these reforms are creating the opposite effect. Fewer landlords mean fewer rental homes, more competition, and skyrocketing rents. It’s a cycle that’s tough for everyone, but especially for tenants already struggling to find affordable housing.

A Better Way Forward 

The Renters Reform Bill has good intentions, but it’s missing the point. Instead of fixing the housing crisis, it risks making it worse by driving landlords away and shrinking the market.  

Reform is absolutely needed - but it has to balance tenant protections with making renting viable for landlords. Without this balance, the government risks creating the very crisis it’s trying to solve.  

It’s time for a rethink. Let’s stop blaming landlords and focus on real solutions to tackle the housing shortage and affordability.