Buy to let market comes under the spotlight

The buy to let market will come under the spotlight as part of a Government commissioned review of the private rented sector.

The review, by an expert team from the Centre for Housing Policy at York University, will look at how the sector has been affected by the increase in the number of student tenants and buy to let homes.

It follows a report last year by the Citizens Advice Bureau which showed that 20% of tenants were not satisfied with the standard of repairs carried out by their landlords but were frightened of retaliatory action if they complained. For their part, landlords often faced problems relating to anti-social behaviour and the failure of tenants to pay their rent.

The Government has already tightened up the regulations governing the private rented sector with provisions such as Tenancy Deposit Protection and action on houses of multiple occupation.

This new review is expected to put forward more recommendations to improve standards in the sector.

The Housing and Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper, said:

“Too few people are aware of their rights and responsibilities, either as tenants or landlords. We have seen a big increase in the private rented sector and particularly in buy to let. It is important we review the impact of this.”

The report is due to be published in October.