With tenant demand continuing to rise, the private rented sector (PRS) will remain a “fundamental part” of the UK’s housing market moving forward, according to a leading buy-to-let specialist.
Despite uncertainties in the buy-to-let sector following recent regulatory and fiscal changes, John Heron, managing director at Paragon Mortgages, believes that the PRS remains vital.
“We have every confidence in the buy-to-let market, with tenant demand continuing to remain high and in some areas increasing, the PRS will remain a fundamental part of the UK’s housing market now and in the future,” he said.
Buy-to-let lender Paragon Mortgages increased its lending by 84.5% over the six months ended 31 March 2016, when compared with the same period a year earlier, going from £446.2m to £823.6m.
The rise was due, in part, to an increase in activity as landlords looked to beat the 1 April stamp duty deadline, but it also reflects the fact that market fundamentals remain strong, despite the various regulatory, legislative and fiscal developments that have contributed to create uncertainty over the future shape and scale of the buy-to-let market.
Heron (pictured) added: “Demand for private rented property remains strong regardless of the significant policy developments we have seen in recent months. The Prudential Regulation Authority’s proposals, currently in consultation, will introduce a level of discipline to the market that we welcome and in particular require that more complex business is subject to an appropriately robust commercial assessment, similar to that which Paragon already applies to more complex business. Paragon is therefore well positioned to deliver solutions for landlords through a period of significant change in the market.”
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Agreed, the PRS is fundamental in many areas across the country. It provides much needed housing for many people. Two things I'd say though, particularly from a lending/financial risk point of view:
1. Some of the tenant demand is artificial; if future national housing reforms make home ownership more affordable/flexible, then many tenants would choose this option. Landlords remain cautious!
2. Poor management of properties, and the tenants within them, is the biggest risk of bad debt for landlords. We offer unique comprehensive services to reduce the increasing rental risks for landlords, that ultimately help ensure mortgage repayments! See our website for more details: www.ethicallettingsagency.co.uk and see our new national Ethical Lettings Pledge: www.theethicallettingspledge.co.uk
Stop patting yourself on the back Carla, All you are doing is making yourself look a fool. All agents do what you do (with perhaps a few exceptions) and they don't bang on about how wonderful they are. You must be a bit thin on the ground with work to have the time to keep writing this drivel. Just shut up and go away.
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