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 May 2021 - Comments: 389
2:38 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 26/06/2025 – 13:01
You need to watch GB NEWS, they are clearly earning from delivery companies within hours of arrival. Not paying tax and still getting all the freebies.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
3:17 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by PH at 26/06/2025 – 14:38
I eagerly await Bemused’s comments on GBNews.
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 23
11:53 AM, 1st July 2025, About 9 months ago
As many have said, the sensible, non-money grabbing landlords with a conscience and an ounce of consideration about the state of our country and the burden being placed on it my the ever-increasing number of undocumented “criminals” infiltrating it will always say no. But there are plenty who will not be able to resist the quick buck, guaranteed income, just like the hotel owners. Even on here I’ve seen a change in the adverts from one particular agency offering to sell landlords properties and portfolios, to them practically begging for HMOs and apartment blocks….they say it’s for student areas, but I’m not convinced they are for actual students. Each to their own, but I know that I would be saying a very easy no.
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 2
10:37 AM, 2nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Would never do this to my neighbours. Have seen first hand what happens when you do a bad let and trust me there is 99 percent chance this will be a bad let .
Property will be trashed .
Different cultures . Some don’t use toilets . Sh## on the floor . Live like animals . Terrorise the area .
Uk property prices collapsing not because of interest rates . It’s because decent law abiding contributors don’t want to live here anymore and are selling up . Families that have been here for generations leaving and you cannot blame them . In time the decent countries will totally block entry and we will be prisoners in our own country .
Member Since June 2025 - Comments: 5
3:57 PM, 6th July 2025, About 9 months ago
How can an English government turn against its own people expecting Landlords to house illeagle immigrants as a priority over British applicants !!
This idiotic government was elected to look after the interests and safety of British people who are now second class citizens to illegals who receive more free benefits than any British individual. Why are the people in power bending over to give so much of tax payers money away to people who have broken into our country?
To ask British landlords to support housing these immigrants is both ridiculous and insulting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 23
4:25 PM, 6th July 2025, About 9 months ago
Sadly, I think there will be plenty who will take the fast buck….
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 6
2:19 PM, 29th July 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 16/06/2025 – 10:12
Let’s suppose you have multiple properties and need your selective licence renewed. I can think of several ways to encourage you to take some.
The reaction to sell might work for some, but not everyone.
Member Since July 2025 - Comments: 1
3:25 PM, 29th July 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by HFJ at 06/07/2025 – 16:25
I do agree!
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 69
4:04 PM, 29th July 2025, About 8 months ago
Well SERCO refused to consider my 3 bed semi as suitable accomodation. And for me, the big question is why is the government paying £145 per night! F heavens sake, I’m only being charged £62 per night B&B for a decent hotel in the middle of Bradford? Hasn’t the government heard of Booking.com??? Or Travel Lodge???
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 23
4:52 PM, 29th July 2025, About 8 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Landlord at 29/07/2025 – 14:19
Selling up is not the only course of action. We had several properties some which needed licences abd and it would still be an easy NO from me. I guess it comes down to morals and personal integrity – and just an ounce of forethought of how it WILL go horribly wrong for your property when you lose control of who is in it.