An ecosystem out of balance

Demand from tenants continues to increase, while availability of rental stock struggles. This means that there aren’t enough properties in the private rented sector to keep up with demand. 

In our 2023 State of the Lettings Industry report, we found that more than three-quarters of letting agents saw an increased demand for homes in 2023, while 58% saw fewer properties available. 

One reason for the dwindling availability of homes is the fact that existing landlords are leaving the sector, and there are not enough new landlords to replace them. 

There are many factors to this - from increased financial pressures on landlords to concerns over upcoming policy changes set out in the Renters (Reform) Bill.

Are landlords really selling up? And how agents can win landlords when supply is low

More support, more consistency, more incentives

At Goodlord, we believe that policymakers should focus on incentivising positive outcomes that they wish to encourage - rather than penalising bad practices with prescriptive regulation or bans. 

Being a landlord is a business -  with more than 97 pieces of compliance that landlords need to fulfil to rent a property. We support measures that will help raise professional standards - such as the proposed Property Portal and ombudsman.

However, landlords need to be able to operate in a market where they are incentivised to make improvements.