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Longer term tenancies in the Private Rented Sector
Introduction
This research explores the experiences and attitudes of private landlords to longer-term tenancies in the private rented sector (PRS). We focus on the current barriers to landlords offering longer tenancies and their thoughts on the UK Government’s proposed three-year tenancy model.
This research used a mixed-methods survey to develop an understanding of landlords’ experiences and attitudes. A national online survey was distrbuted to landlords known to the RLA and was shared widely online over the course of two weeks. A total of 4,970 responses were recieved and analysed.
Research findings
The findings of this research, along with our previous research, show that landlords in principle do not oppose longer-term tenancies. However, to be encouraged to offer a longer tenancy to those tenants that desire or need them, there needs to be broader reform. For longer-term tenancies to be successfully implemented, there needs to be:
- Joined-up policy-making across different Government departments that harnesses the potential of the private rented sector
- Comprehensive reform of the current routes to regain possession, including the speed and cost of the Section 8 process and the development of a new housing court. 77% of landlords reported this was the main barrier to longer-term tenancies.
- Positive taxation measures of private landlords that compare with other modern private rented sectors, such as Germany. These measures should encourage landlords to invest in their portfolios over the long-term.
