New research showing landlords feeling nervy about the year ahead. 

The introduction of the Renters Rights Act from May has led three-quarters of landlords contacted in a survey (75%) to believe it will have a negative impact on them personally.

No fewer than 84% feel the Act will harm the private rented sector more broadly.

Some of the leading concerns for landlords are potential backlogs in the court system for evicting tenants (91% concerned), as well as the 2% rise in income tax for landlords holding properties in their own names (88% concerned). 

Well over eight in 10 landlords (84%) agree that they’ll need to be more selective about the tenants they let to, whilst more than seven in 10 (72%) will consider recouping losses by increasing rents.

Elsewhere in the research – conducted for specialist lender Aldermore – the numbers show that expectations for rental yields have fallen to a five year low, and the share of landlords reporting strong tenant demand has fallen to 61%, down 7% from the previous quarter and 16% year-on-year.

An Aldermore spokesperson says: “The Renters Rights Act is being introduced with noble objectives in mind, and the vast majority of the UK’s two million or so landlords will agree that supporting their tenants is a key component of what they do. 

“However, this research does highlight the tensions many landlords feel. 

“Maintaining an open dialogue between all parties and assessing the effectiveness of the Act as it beds in over time will be of the utmost importance.”