Landlords likely to opt for professional tenants

17 2008
Private landlords across the UK could soon turn their back on tenants without employment and instead concentrate on renting to professionals, it has been revealed.

With rising house prices pushing demand for rental accommodation to a near-record level, landlords are now able to pick and choose their tenants.

Now a new trial undertaken by the National Federation of Residential Lanldords has revealed that many landlords would rather not take the risk of renting their properties to those on income support, news that is likely to be welcomed by professionals struggling with high levels of competition within the sector.

"At forums I have attended, landlords have complained about not being paid rent," Tom Reynolds of Cheshire-based Hamptons told the Observer.

"In the past, they have been very accepting of housing benefit tenants because they would get regular payments, but now fewer may be prepared to accept them."

According to the latest figures compiled in the government's Survey of English Housing, there are currently some 453,000 'benefit tenants' within the private rental sector.
ADNFCR-1219-ID-18512072-ADNFCR

Related Articles
Mayfair home falls down in credit crunch
A £20 million London property has become the latest victim in the...

House prices have 'no reason' to stabilise soon
The idea held by many that Britain's house prices will steady as a result...

Which? publishes help for 'accidental landlords'
Consumer organisation Which? has created a book to aid landlords in the...

Private landlords 'should be encouraged'
The private rental sector should be supported and expanded, and buy-to-let...

Annual price drop reaches 8.1%
A relatively modest annual price drop has been recorded by Hometrack this...