Reform vows it will get tough on ‘profiteering migrant landlords’
11 months ago | 5 comments
Government is expecting more landlords to accommodate asylum seekers
9:52 AM, 16th June 2025, 10 months ago
66
Labour says that more private landlords will need to play a bigger role in housing migrants, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The move will help meet Labour’s pledge to phase out migrant hotels, saving taxpayers an estimated £1 billion annually, as stated during last week’s Spending Review.
The decision to shift away from hotels, which currently cost £145 per night per asylum seeker compared to £14 for private accommodation, aims to ease financial burdens.
However, critics are warning that doing so will increase competition among renters for homes.
Backlog of asylum claims
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told the Telegraph: “No matter how much Rachel Reeves may claim [Labour] will get the backlog of asylum claims down – immigrants will still need a place to stay.
“With experts warning that the Government will get nowhere near their target of delivering 1.5m new homes, the British people must come first when it comes to access to housing.
“Accommodating illegal immigrants in flats takes up valuable space needed by our own young people.”
Nathan Emerson, the chief executive of Propertymark, also warned that competition or homes in the private rented sector was stiff with an average of seven applicants for each home.
Serco among PRS contractors
In recent months, Property118 has reported on a bid by the Home Office to encourage three contractors to find more PRS homes.
They include Serco, which is offering landlords guaranteed five-year rental contracts, including full rent paid on time, along with free property management.
Property repairs, utilities and council tax bills are also covered.
The National Audit Office revealed in May that asylum seeker housing costs could reach £15.3 billion, triple the £4.5 billion initially projected by the previous Conservative government in 2019.
That’s despite a 15% reduction in hotel use from 38,079 asylum seekers in December to 32,345 by March.
The Local Government Association welcomed the plan to close hotels but stressed the need for early council involvement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who vowed to end hotel use for asylum seekers before last year’s election, faces mounting pressure to balance housing demands while fulfilling this commitment.
Tags:
Labour asylum policy, local councils asylum accommodation, migrant hotels UK, National Audit Office asylum costs, private landlords asylum seekers, Rachel Reeves housing policy, Serco landlord deals, UK asylum seeker housing, UK Housing Crisis, UK rental market pressure
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Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 12
11:18 AM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dino Saw at 16/06/2025 – 11:04
Well said
Member Since April 2020 - Comments: 95
11:33 AM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Damn cheek comes to mind after what they have done to private landlords, I won’t be manipulated just not worth it let alone the principles involved.
Member Since August 2017 - Comments: 149
11:56 AM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Near to my rented houses an entire block of properties were rented to asylum seekers and they trashed the places so badly they had to be removed and the places completely refurbished.
If you’re stupid enough to take up this offer, don’t say you weren’t warned.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
12:32 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Is it April 1st?
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
1:35 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Wouldn’t there be a problem with the commercial lease they are offering if you have a BTL mortgage?
Member Since May 2020 - Comments: 17
3:31 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
One word ” NEVER “
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 9
3:45 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Not a chance from us,
Member Since August 2023 - Comments: 44
4:41 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
I’ve always made a point of not renting to criminals
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 389
5:34 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
They can kma ! I wouldn’t help this or any government regarding prs. The problems they have and are continuing to cause is despicable and maybe one day they will regret it.
Member Since July 2017 - Comments: 463
6:03 PM, 16th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Gilly Osborne at 16/06/2025 – 11:14
Has anyone watched Simon Reeve new series Scandinavia yet? Then watch episode 2 on Sweden to see the major problems they have there with violence due to allowing in the wrong kind of migrants. Now there are bombs or hand grenades exploding nearly every day!