"The lettings industry is of national importance, but it’s consistently overlooked by decision makers."
RentTech firm Goodlord is releasing a manifesto calling on the government to step up their support for the lettings industry.
The industry call to arms will share insights gathered from roundtables and events held with more than 1,000 letting agents, 300 landlords and 280 tenants over recent months, showcasing a picture of the industry’s core concerns.
The document will also outline a series of recommendations for the government to support the industry feeling the effects of low housing stock, rising inflation, and escalating demand.
The manifesto follows on from the open letter organised by Goodlord earlier this year, which called on the government to step up their support for the rental market and attracted more than 1,100 signatures from letting agents and landlords.
Initial insights from the manifesto released today, based on surveys and interviews conducted by Goodlord, show that 79% of landlords say there will be even less housing supply across the UK in the next 5-10 years.
When asked if there is enough clarity from the government regarding their medium to long-term plans for the lettings sector, a huge 81% of agents and 70% of landlords said no.
And 88% of landlords are ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ worried about the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill, which is due to be passed in the coming weeks.
The full manifesto, called Renting Done Right, will be released on Thursday 20th April.
Goodlord CEO, William Reeve, commented: “Landlords, agents and tenants are facing the perfect storm. Rising costs and mortgage rates are meeting lack of stock head on, against a backdrop of ever more convoluted regulation. The lettings industry is of national importance, but it’s consistently overlooked by decision makers. We need the government to take meaningful, wholesale action to address the concerns of all rental market stakeholders. If they don’t, we risk undermining the stability of this essential sector. We hope this manifesto, which was created in collaboration with landlords, agents and tenants, can act as a catalyst for change.”
