When I meet landlords the common theme is why is the government picking on landlords in the Private Rental Sector.
In the main we all recognise that regulation of the letting industry is in itself a good thing and possibly long overdue. However, one cannot help think that some of the initiatives have been of neither benefit to either Landlords or Tenants.

One has to recognise that being a landlord is a commercial operation; it is a business and needs to be operated as a business. It has to comply with the regulations in providing good and safe rental accommodation and it needs to make money for it to survive.

The 3% stamp duty on second homes, the section 24 tax changes all have restricted landlords ability to receive a return on their rental asset.
One cannot view the industry through the London bubble as landlords in the North and Midlands operate in a different universe.
In Rotherham average property prices are £125,386 and with average rents at £500 per month this results in average yields of 4.8% – I am sure you would agree not exorbitant returns?
To keep burdening the sector with regulations that inflict punitive charges will and does drive landlords from the sector.

In the last 10 years we have had 10 housing ministers and only 2 of those have remained in post for more than 2 years. During Theresa May’s 3 year tenure we had 4 housing ministers. Hardly giving a perception that the Government takes housing seriously and that there exists a master plan to tackle the housing crisis.

The vast majority of landlords and agents welcome well thought out regulations that support rather than contradict government objectives.
But the ad hoc vote catching initiatives are making it difficult for good landlords and agents to keep up with the changes and make a return that encourages them to remain in the sector.

The RLA & NLA issued a joint statement calling for an immediate action to reverse the decline in supply as present more landlords are selling than buying and others for tax reasons are switching to short term or holiday lets.
Confusion about the discussion around section 21’s and level of compliance with the incoming electrical checks unnerve landlords and do nothing to retain confidence in the sector.

With the Spring budget almost upon us I doubt that the new chancellor and new housing minister have been able to thrash out any policies to make this budget but all eyes should be on the next to see whether there is revision of existing and introduction of new policies that show that the Government is serious to mend a broken housing sector.
Enforcement of housing policy is fundamental to drive out bad landlords and agents The tax policy within the sector needs to be reviewed, scrapping the 3% stamp duty will stimulate supply and there needs to be some understanding how landlords can comply with CGT changes.

Good landlords through the National Associations and Agents through their Association ARLA have a part to play in contributing to a balanced introduction of policies and regulations that the aim to provide safe and affordable housing whilst retaining landlords within the sector through a return on their investment.

Lets hope that the housing minister impacts positively over the coming years and that the Government recognises that a flourishing private rental sector is vote winner and is able to invest time and effort to improve the situation for both Landlords and Tenants alike.