Landlords are struggling to deal with a mix of new legislation and rising costs, according to a new report from landlord insurance provider, Simply Business.
The report, which surveyed nearly 2,000 landlords across the nation, shows how landlords are feeling about the year ahead.
71% say they think the new government will have a negative impact on the buy-to-let market, with 51% this group emphasising that they think it will be ‘very negative’.
69% of landlords identified constantly changing and confusing government legislation as their biggest challenge. This marks a notable increase from previous years, reflecting growing frustration within the sector, and lays down the gauntlet for the new government, Simply Business concludes.
Despite this, rental demand remains high. While just 41% say they think letting a property is a worthwhile investment, 62% say they don’t plan to sell up in the next 12 months.
When it comes to the Renters’ Rights Bill, most welcome the increased standards across the market, but 69% fear necessary evictions will be more expensive and time-consuming, with 62% saying they expect the removal of Section 21 will encourage landlords to sell up.
Rising costs are another major issue for landlords, with 38% reporting they consider them to be the biggest threat to the rental market. 35% say they have seen monthly mortgage repayments increase, up from 31% in 2023. Of those, 10% have seen monthly repayments increase by between £500 and £1,000.
This concern is further compounded by the new minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations. Half of landlords need to make improvements to reach an EPC rating of C and over a third (34%) report they will need to spend up to £10,000 to comply with the rules.
Bea Montoya, chief operating officer at Simply Business UK said: “For landlords, 2024 has been defined by rising costs, ever-changing legislation, and the election of the new Labour government. The resilience of landlords – and the market – should not be underestimated, but we know thousands are struggling to navigate these challenges. While many are willing to batten down the hatches and try to weather the storm, others will be really questioning whether it’s affordable to stay in the market.
“It’s clear the status quo isn’t working. The government has some work to do to regain the trust of landlords. Winning this back will mean a concerted commitment to clarity around impending legislation, and as much support as possible to make these changes, in the forms of schemes and grants. Landlords are a vital part of the health and stability of the UK housing market, and must be treated as such to ensure we can create an environment that serves both landlords and tenants.”
