80% of ARLA agents predict rent rises next year

80% of ARLA agents predict rent rises next year

11:59 AM, 19th December 2016, About 7 years ago 2

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ARLA LogoIn the first report from ARLA since the announcement of a ban on letting agent fees, 80 per cent of agents expect rent prices to increase next year.

Following the Chancellor’s announcement to ban letting agent fees for tenants during his Autumn Statement, 80% of agents expect to see rent hikes in 2017.

Demand for rental properties:

  • Demand from prospective tenants fell again in November, as the rental market continues to cool ahead of Christmas; 32 prospective tenants were registered per letting agent branch, compared to 34 in October.
  • However, more than half 53% of agents expect to see a rise in demand next year.

Supply of rental housing:

  • In November, the number of rental properties managed per branch was 185, an increase from 180 in October. However, this is considerably lower than the level seen in September, when there were 193 properties managed per branch.
  • Following the increase in taxes for landlords, including stamp duty and capital gains tax, 63% of agents expect the supply of rental accommodation to decrease in 2017.

David Cox, Managing Director, Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), said: “The number of rent hikes reported by letting agents continued to decrease in November, and it’s a shame the ban on letting agent fees will have the opposite impact on rent prices when the measure comes into force. The BTL market is becoming less attractive for investors as the ban on fees, combined with the scrapping of mortgage interest relief and the stamp duty increase on second homes push costs up for landlords. So unfortunately, regardless of the uplift we saw in supply this month, we expect to see the number of properties available to rent fall next year.”


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Comments

Neil Patterson

12:01 PM, 19th December 2016, About 7 years ago

What I want to know is when will any government measure actually help the housing crisis?

Gary Dully

17:47 PM, 19th December 2016, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Neil Patterson" at "19/12/2016 - 12:01":

Fat chance of that happening.

The lunatics have taken over the asylum!

Furthermore, the new lending criteria for BTL hits on Jan 1st, when rental stress tests will remove standard 75% LTV as a viable rent in many areas.

What do you think that will do to rents?

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