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.
Fixed rate mortgages - landlords highlight their role in PRS shake-out
This post focuses on fixed-term BTL deals and how their impending expiry is driving landlord decision making. Fixed rate deals often have minimum rent conditions atached to them. These T&Cs further drive up rents in a local area. Landlords with BTL finance with fixed rate deals due to expire are more likely to be taking action to raise rents, and reduce supply.
How to reduce the supply of rented homes: introduce Rent Controls!
This blog examines landlord views on various rent control scenarios and their potential impact on the PRS, based on findings from a YouGov landlord survey. Commissioned by the NRLA in the Winter of 2022-23, the survey collected responses from over 1,000 landlords (10% of whom were NRLA members) renting properties across England and Wales.
English Housing Survey 2021-22: key points
Each year the English Housing Survey (EHS) publishes data on housing and housing conditions across all tenures. The most recent data (2021-22) provides a picture of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) as a tenure. Researchers, journalists and policy makers rely on the EHS as a key source of information. This post provides a snapshot of the information available on the sector.
It’s personal – why tenants still love you
The spring 2023 tenant survey once again showed high levels of satisfaction with independent landlords. This post outlines some of the reasons why, despite a three-cornered attack on PRS landlords, tenants continue to appreciate the integrity, hard work and strong customer focus of independent landlords.
Landlords stepping up to help tenants cope with rising utility costs
This blog post reports on the NRLAs survey of over 2,000 tenants in the PRS. There is a focus on the impact rising utility bills have had on tenants and their household budget. It finds that when tenants raise concerns with their landlord, many will actively support tenants - a reality which contrasts to media coverage of the sector.
We're proud to be a MRS Company Partner
