Landlords considering guaranteed rent and temporary accommodation arrangements need greater clarity around provider standards, according to housing sector professionals who warn that rapid market growth has created inconsistencies in service quality and operational capability.
The temporary accommodation sector has expanded significantly in recent years as local authorities seek solutions to rising homelessness demand.
However, housing providers say the increasing number of operators entering the market is making it more difficult for landlords and councils to identify organisations capable of managing properties and residents effectively over the long term.
Demand continues to rise sharply. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government figures show that 134,760 households were living in temporary accommodation as of September 2025, representing a 36% increase compared with 2020.
Landlords seek greater confidence in temporary accommodation providers
As councils work to secure accommodation at pace, the guaranteed rent and temporary accommodation market has attracted a growing number of participants, from established housing providers to individual operators and newly formed businesses.
While the sector welcomes additional housing supply, concerns are growing about differences in compliance standards, safeguarding procedures, maintenance performance and tenancy management practices.
Industry professionals argue that these inconsistencies can create challenges for landlords assessing potential partners, particularly when properties are being offered into the temporary accommodation market for the first time.
“The level of demand local authorities are dealing with at the moment is enormous, and there is no question that more housing solutions are needed, particularly while housing delivery continues to fall short of demand," said Leigh Young, director at Elliot Leigh.
"The challenge is that the market has expanded very quickly, and providers can operate very differently in terms of experience, infrastructure and the support mechanisms they have in place.
“For local authorities, the priority is to acquire a safe, secure and affordable home for their homeless applicants, while landlords want to be assured their property is managed responsibly.
"However, it can become difficult to assess who has the operational capability to manage properties and residents properly over the long term, particularly when councils are under pressure to source accommodation at pace, in some cases leaving high-quality, pre-qualified properties still awaiting placement despite ongoing demand.”
Those working in the sector are calling for greater transparency around key operational areas, including:
- Compliance and regulatory procedures.
- Safeguarding policies and resident support.
- Maintenance response times.
- Financial stability and organisational resilience.
- Property and tenancy management standards.
Supporters of tighter qualification standards argue that a clearer framework would help landlords assess risk more effectively while giving local authorities greater confidence when placing households into temporary accommodation.
There are also concerns that inconsistent practices could increase pressure on councils already facing rising homelessness levels and stretched housing budgets.
“The focus should be on creating greater consistency and accountability across the sector so that local authorities, landlords and residents can have confidence in the organisations they are working with," Young added.
“Most landlords simply want reassurance that their property will be managed professionally and responsibly, while local authorities need confidence that providers can consistently deliver safe, compliant and well-managed accommodation.”
With demand for temporary accommodation continuing to rise, sector participants argue that establishing clearer standards could help landlords make more informed decisions while supporting local authorities' efforts to secure suitable housing for vulnerable households.
