PRS landlords feel ‘demonised’ by the media

A staggering 81% of landlords believe that mainstream media coverage of the buy-to-let market is unjust and inaccurate, research has found.

The Landbay quarterly landlord survey reveals that despite the ever-growing demand for rental properties, landlords feel unfairly ‘demonised’ with their crucial contribution to the housing sector going unrecognised.

Landlords argue that the media wrongfully points the finger, dubbing them as ‘greedy’ property owners responsible for the shortage of housing and skyrocketing rents.

In response, landlords say that the real issue lies in the government’s failure to construct sufficient properties in recent years.

‘No question landlords have needed to be thick-skinned’

Landbay’s managing director of intermediaries, Paul Brett, said: “There’s no question landlords have needed to be thick-skinned with successive anti-landlord governments and plenty of anti-landlord rhetoric in the national news.

“It’s unfortunate that bad news leads when there are so many positive examples of good landlords working in partnership with tenants to provide quality housing.”

One landlord said: “The PRS provides much needed homes that are not being built by councils.

“I am a good landlord, but I am fed up with being portrayed as someone who has plenty of money and is profiteering off tenants.

“What would happen if most landlords sold their properties?”

Another landlord said: “It would be good if the media was more balanced and also portrayed the issues for landlords with problem tenants.”

Media’s portrayal of the buy-to-let market

The survey asked landlords if they agreed with the statement that the media’s portrayal of the buy-to-let market is fair and accurate.

A significant 33% of landlords strongly disagreed, while 48% disagreed with the statement.

The survey sets out to gauge landlords’ perspectives and intentions on various topics and to sheds light on the challenges landlords face.

It also establishes their outlook on the future of the buy-to-let market.

‘We need quality landlords more than ever’

Mr Brett said: “With such a reliance on rented accommodation as part of the wider housing mix in the UK, we need quality landlords more than ever.

“We also need new entrants too as demand continues to outstrip supply.

“To make this all happen though, the government must champion those good quality landlords and work with the sector, rather than against it.

“This will hopefully bring a more balanced approach to the national news agenda and relieve some of the pressure felt by honest and hard-working landlords across the country.”