Many private landlords lack knowledge, skills and support necessary to provide decent homes for renters, a new study claims.

The UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CoCHE) study, by academics at the University of Bristol, is based on a survey of over 1,000 landlords and 68 interviews with landlords, agents and experts.

The study looked at landlords’ behaviours and practices including making sure the property is in a good state of repair, selecting tenants, and legal and regulatory compliance.

The work is a collaboration with CaCHE, the TDS Charitable Foundation and SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust.

Steve Harriott, on behalf of both the TDS Charitable Foundation and the SDS Charitable Trust, says: “This report provides important insights into the role which landlords play in the UK’s private rented sector and in particular their needs for advice and information, which is better tailored to their particular circumstances. 

“It will provide food for thought for lettings agents, membership bodies, suppliers and policy makers who all want to raise standards in the private rented sector. We very much hope that this will trigger and inform fresh debates as to what needs to be done over the coming months and years.”

The research suggests many landlords do not know how to manage their property finances effectively. Only 30 per cent were calculating monthly cashflows and many did not have any money set aside for repairs or voids or turnovers

Even minor repairs may become an issue if they have not been budgeted for and may become increasingly important as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.

Some 59 per cent said they had recently experienced challenges relating to the costs of repairs and maintenance.

Many also said they relied on tenants to report issues with the property while fewer than half had a repairs schedule of their own.

Letting agents said that increased demand for housing and difficulties in accessing the sector, means that tenants are often reluctant to complain or “rock the boat”. 

Some 70 per cent of surveyed landlords said it was difficult to keep up with the changes to law and 60 per cent said the changes to the law were not clearly communicated. 

Only 41 per cent felt it was the responsibility of the individual landlord to make sure they are up to date.

An overwhelming 89 per cent of landlords said the main criteria they used to assess the physical condition of their rental property was if they would be happy living there themselves.

The report also claims that a lack of understanding of their role also means that landlords may not know what to do when something goes wrong. Landlords’ practices were often directed towards minimising risk. 

The study concludes with a series of recommendations to improve the advice, information and training provision provided to landlords.