Monthly Archives: September 2017

Corbyn’s Rent Control Plans

Jeremy Corbyn has said that Labour would introduce rent controls across UK cities were the party to come into power – a move the RLA described as an attack on landlords.

The announcement, made at the Labour Party Conference yesterday, was described as “disappointing” by RLA policy director David Smith.

He said: “Rent controls would be a disaster for tenants. History has proved that they stifle investment and reduce supply; making it much more difficult for tenants to find somewhere decent to live.

“This is what happened before they were lifted in the 1980s and it led to a reduction in the quality of rented housing available.

“Private sector rents are increasing by less than inflation and the call for rent controls is a diversion from the real need to increase the supply of rented housing to meet the fast rising demand.

“The private rented sector has invested in providing homes for the population, putting more homes into use than any other landlord type. Instead of attacking landlords, the private rented sector should be seen as part of the solution to the housing crisis.”

Corbyn also announced Labour plans for a review of social housing policy, promising a ‘radical programme of action’ to bring to next year’s conference and vowed to ensure every home is fit for human habitation if Labour came into power.

He also said the party would tackle undeveloped land held by developers, who would be told to ‘use it or lose it’.

Labour plans for rent controls were first announced as part of the party’s election manifesto, in May this year.

Source: RLA

Why Use The Online Letting Agents?

If you have a property to let, the quickest and easiest way to find new tenants is through a letting agent who advertises on the major property websites, particularly rightmove and zoopla. In a previous post, we have discussed high street letting agents vs online letting agents, but if you’ve already opted for the low… Continue Reading

Buy To Let Lending Changes Could Result in More Rental Stock Being Sold

Changes to buy-to-let lending criteria being introduced at the end of this month could encourage a surge of rental stock as landlords look to offload their ‘weakest’ properties. From 30th September 2017, the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority will tighten lending criteria further, following the introduction of more stringent ‘stress tests’ earlier this year.… Continue Reading