Deep Insight
These blog posts are written to prompt discussion and debate about the role of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in the UK.
The posts provide more detail on trends which emerge in our analysis of datasets in the Observatory. They also highlight specific topics and comments landlords make in our regular or occasional surveys.
Academics, policy makers and practitioners also make regular contributions to the blog.
Landlords & their sparing use of Section 21: The evidence is clear & consistent
This post reviews a range of landlord surveys which have investigated their use of Section 21. Despite the range of samples, methodologies, and responses in these studies a consistent pattern emerges. A typical landlord rarely uses Section 21. When they do so, it reflects frustration with alternatives.
The need for a Housing Court
Dr David Smith sets out the case for a dedicated Housing Court. Such a court would restore confidence among landlords and tenants. This article first appeared in the FT in February 2020 and is reporduced here with kind permission of the Financial Times.
Repossession waiting times: too long too often
With Section 21 on the way out, a landlord's only means for taking possession of property is through the Section 8 process. This article details how waiting times for repossession have been too high over the last 10 years, showing no real signs of improvement. Regionally a similar pattern emerges, progress is scattered and inconsistent.
The wait of justice: the slow pace of the courts in Greater London
Between 2010 and 2019 over half the courts in England and Wales were closed. The government announced investment of £1 billion to improve on-line facilities and make the court process more efficient. Have these reforms worked? This is the first of a series of blogs in which the RLA examine access to justice in the PRS.
Buy-to-Let figures highlight nervous mood among landlord-entrepreneurs
This post presents Bank of England data on the volume of residential loans to individuals. It provides an overview of overall volumes and the proportion of advances issued in the Buy-To-Let (BTL) market. The 2019 Quarter 3 data - published before Christmas - reflect our caution on the outlook for the PRS and investment in BTL.
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