Landlords must work with councils to tackle housing crisis – claim

A property management boss claims the heart of the housing crisis lies with landlords refusing to work with councils.

John Angus, managing director at Switch Management, writes in the housing magazine Inside Housing that too many households are being placed in temporary accommodation instead of “stable and secure private rentals.”

According to Mr Angus, many landlords are hesitant to let their properties through councils due to fears of property damage and lower financial returns compared to the private rented sector.

Housing shortage has reached crisis point

Mr Angus says that the housing shortage has reached crisis point, leaving more vulnerable families at risk.

According to the Centre for Homelessness Impact, net local authority spending on temporary accommodation has surged by over 80%, rising from £479 million in 2018–19 to £1.06 billion in 2023–24.

In London alone, 33 councils spent a staggering £1.4 billion on temporary housing in the year to March 2024.

Mr Angus says many councils have become increasingly reliant on temporary accommodation, forcing families to live in cramped conditions with unsuitable facilities.

Reluctance of private landlords to engage with local authorities

Mr Angus says the key to tackling the housing crisis is for landlords and councils to work together.

He tells Inside Housing: “At the heart of this crisis lies a significant and often overlooked barrier: the reluctance of private landlords to engage with local authorities.”

Mr Angus adds many landlords refuse to work with councils due to a number of reasons.

He says: “In our work with property owners across the UK, we are consistently told about previous frustration with delays in payments and complex administrative requirements.

“They express concerns about potential damage to property, maintenance expenses and the challenges of addressing any tenancy issues. Some fear lower returns, compared with the private market, while others have concerns about social housing stereotypes that continue to exist.”

Higher standard of living

However, Mr Angus argues that stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors are key to tackling the housing crisis.

He says: “Public and private sector partnerships should be encouraged not only for their cost-saving and administrative efficiencies, but also in their ability to help raise living standards and services for people in temporary accommodation.

“At the heart of the UK’s housing crisis are vulnerable families looking for a safe and secure place to call home. Through effective partnerships, we can provide people in need with long-term stability, a higher standard of living and a better foundation for the future.”