Landlord confidence has dipped to lowest point since 2006

Landlord confidence in their own lettings business has reached a record low, with just 29% saying their expectations for the next month is good or very good.

The data from the National Landlords Association (NLA) shows that this is the lowest level since its landlord survey began in the fourth quarter of 2006.

It points out that confidence levels dropped significantly in the second half of 2015 in response to George Osborne’s changes to landlord taxation, but had until now remained above 35%.

It also points out that this represents a marked shift in confidence since the Government announced its proposal to abolish section 21 no-fault evictions.

Regionally, confidence is highest in the East Midlands and in Yorkshire and the Humber, both at 34%, and lowest in the North East at 18% and central London at 19%.

‘With the amount of change that has occurred over the last four years and now the proposal to abolish no-fault evictions without any certainty that the courts will be able to cope with the increase in cases this will create, it’s no wonder that landlords are pessimistic about their future,’ said Richard Lambert, NLA chief executive officer.

‘Landlords need to be confident in their own businesses for the private rented sector to function properly. Given that it’s expected to compensate for the lack of social housing, it is vital that this confidence is restored,’ he added.

‘Without recourse to Section 21 we would undoubtedly have lost several decent tenants and would be stuck. I appreciate they are in contravention of their leases, but also understand how difficult it could be to prove that,’ she explained.

‘We are actively considering selling our properties, which is no doubt what the government is trying to achieve. After the new tax burdens, which may well cripple us, and steal our hard-earned retirement income, and all the new/threatened legislation, we have just about had enough,’ she added.

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