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Most landlords feel a responsibility to tenants as cost of living soars

No fewer than 74 per cent of landlords say they feel a responsibility to support their tenants during times of financial hardship.

And 44 per cent have financially supported their tenants during the last 12 months, such as reducing or pausing rent. 

The research by The Landlord Works shows that landlords could stomach reducing their rents by an average of 7.6 per cent before coming under pressure - equating to around £50 per property a month based on a typical landlord’s rental income.

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While many are able to reduce rent, 45 per cent of all landlords say any reduction would harm them financially. 

Around four in 10 said they intend to keep rents the same for the next year despite the financial challenges, while just over half say they need to increase rents over the next 12 months. One in four plan to raise the rent on all their properties.

In terms of the support offered to tenants by 44 per cent of landlords, temporary rent reductions and rental payment holidays are the most common options. 

However, other landlords have instigated permanent rent reductions, rent holidays or even lent money to support tenants’ day to day expenditure.

Paul Wootton, director of The Landlord Works, says: “Landlords are facing a real dilemma at the moment in dealing with the continued rising cost of living. 

“On the one hand, there is a need to ensure they can cover the increasing costs associated with their properties and ensure they are following the market. However, as our research demonstrates, they are also acutely aware of the financial challenges facing their tenants.

“… While we will see rents rise over the coming months in many cases, we can also expect landlords to offer continued support at what is a tough time for many.”

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

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    But according to Gen Rent and others we are the new slave traders …….rapacious landlords who only think of profits. If the government continues with their onslaught against landlords then those of us who are keeping rents lower than the market average will not be able to continue doing this.

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    Like the Government, I will be charging as much as I can for as long a I can, particularly that I recently refurbed my property for the price of £75,000.

    And I need to claw all that money back as soon as possible.

     
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    My view has always been to balance the value of time and money.

    When I was younger with much more time left, I needed as much money as possible, and would tolerate hassle and inconvenience if it generated (or saved) more cash - hitch hiking, motor biking, wild camping, flying on standby tickets etc.

    I now have more money than I could sensibly spend, so enjoying my remaining (limited) time (and lack of hassle) are my priorities. If tenants let me keep as much of my time as possible, with minimum hassle, I will let them keep as much of their money as possible, and thus only rarely put rents up during a tenancy - but if they change that balance then they will be hit with the highest rent rises that I can levy.

     
  • David Saunders

    Sad to say Robert but the way things are panning out, landlords will no longer be able to put the rent up without permission from local rent tribunal.

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    David

    You're probably right - which might mean me selling up, leaving around 50 joint tenants scrabbling for about 20 flats to rent from an ever dwindling selection!

    I know of one landlord who tells his tenants that a proportion of their rent (say £100 per month) is intended to go towards potential unexpected cost - like new appliances or other items needing replaced much too early, repairing damage to contents, professional cleaning etc. Any surplus is returned to them at the end of their tenancy.

    This is in addition to their official tenancy deposit and I'm not sure how this stacks up against landlords being unable to retain a "deposit" but, since it's a good idea, it's probably not allowed!

     
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