The pandemic has exacerbated a supply crisis now facing tenants

The pandemic has exacerbated a supply crisis now facing tenants

13:30 PM, 26th January 2022, About 2 years ago 3

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23% of private landlords faced rental income losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With those landlords affected almost twice as likely to sell property as those who were not, the National Residential Landlords Association is warning that the pandemic has exacerbated a supply crisis now facing tenants.

A new poll by YouGov for the NRLA has found that, between March 2020 and September 2021, 23% of private landlords lost rent due to the impact of Covid.

This included 11% who had negotiated rent reductions and temporary suspensions of rent payments with some of their tenants; 8% who had major issues with unpaid rents with at least one tenant, and 4% who had experienced an increase in empty properties during this time.

Amongst those who said they had lost rental income as a result of the pandemic, over a half (54%) said they had lost up to a fifth of their income across their portfolio. 5% reported that they have lost more than half of their rental income.

The figures show that 36% of the landlords who lost rental income as a result of the pandemic said they planned to either exit the market completely or sell a portion of their portfolio, further exacerbating the supply crisis which many analysts agree is hurting tenants.

The NRLA argues that this is further proof of the need to help tenants get COVID related rent debts paid off to keep landlords in the market and tenants in their homes.

With the Government having last year made funding available for councils in England to help tenants pay off Covid related rent arrears, local authorities need to ensure money reaches the pockets of affected tenants as swiftly as possible.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Today’s figures show the extent to which landlords have been hit by the pandemic as we have been warning over the last two years. With confirmation that those most affected are more likely to leave the market, it is vital that the rent debt crisis does not worsen the rental housing supply crisis we now face.

“As a matter of urgency, councils need to make use of the money they now have to help tenants get Covid rent debts cleared. Without this, renters face a bleak future of fewer properties to rent and, ultimately, higher rents.”


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Comments

Beaver

18:34 PM, 26th January 2022, About 2 years ago

On:

"...over a half (54%) said they had lost up to a fifth of their income across their portfolio. 5% reported that they have lost more than half of their rental income."

I doubt that it just exacerbated the supply crisis. It didn't do much for climate change either. If you just lost 20-50% of your rental income you are not going to be widely enthusiastic about spending money on improving the EPC rating of your property or upgrading it to use renewables.

Reluctant Landlord

20:07 PM, 27th January 2022, About 2 years ago

"....local authorities need to ensure money reaches the pockets of affected tenants as swiftly as possible.."

Errr don't you mean the AFFECTED LL's that are housing them????

Reluctant Landlord

20:10 PM, 27th January 2022, About 2 years ago

“As a matter of urgency, councils need to make use of the money they now have to help LANDLORDS get Covid rent debts cleared. Without this, renters face a bleak future of fewer properties to rent and, ultimately, higher rents....AS LANDLORDS SELL UP.

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