Most landlords doubt they will benefit from Labour’s planning reforms

Fewer than one in four landlords expect Labour’s planning changes will help their business, a survey reveals.

The poll from BTL lender Landbay found that 77% of landlords believe the reforms will not bring any advantage to their buy to let activities.

Just 13% think relaxed rules might increase options for buying new properties.

And only 9% anticipate more employment and economic expansion, which could raise demand for rented homes and improve occupancy.

Reforms won’t affect landlords

Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, said: “If property investors are not convinced planning reform will positively affect their business, we’re in real trouble.

“Landlords are an important stakeholder in the planning system and the wider housing market, driving the conversion of properties to HMOs, refits and extensions – not to mention a chunk of new-build housing.

“So, this level of scepticism and cynicism surrounding proposed reforms to our planning system is absolutely damning.”

He added: “As a country we clearly need planning reform.”

Planning debacles

Mr Stanton continued: “The Lower Thames Crossing has cost more than a quarter of a billion pounds just in planning and paperwork – not a single spade in the ground.

“It has cost us more to plan the crossing than it cost Norway to construct the world’s longest tunnel.

“HS2 is now the world’s most expensive railway line.”

He adds: “The planning application to reopen the old three-mile Portishead railway line is 80,000 pages long – with over 1,000 pages dedicated to bats.”

Not enough trades

On addressing the housing shortage, 47% of landlords stated that reforms alone are insufficient, highlighting shortages in construction skills that limit building rates.

One landlord said that Labour’s housebuilding goals are ‘impossible to achieve with current level of skills available; I own and operate a development company and construction company.’

The respondent added: “The shortage of trades is very limiting.”

Another called the targets “unrealistic while insufficient skills are available”.

A third said: “The government has been setting new homes targets for years – nothing ever changes.”

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