Local authorities need more PRS knowledge, says expert in properties to rent
5th Oct 2012
The UK property sector dedicated to privately rented housing has come of age over the last few years, an expert has claimed. However, a lack of knowledge in the majority of town halls has meant poor support for schemes and projects from local authorities.
According to David Lawrenson, a landlord and property author, writing for Letting Focus, the number of landlords who now operate privately, means that there is now a higher level of housing stock in the private rental sector (PRS) than there are social housing options.
This has largely been driven by demand in the last few years. With many mortgage lenders making it tougher and more expensive to get a mortgage, there are a far greater volume of people renting homes instead, which has led to higher prices and more attractive returns for landlords.
However, Mr Lawrenson said that those in local councils are often unaware of how the sector works, with no experience or knowledge of the sector.
"We regularly point out that few senior housing staff in the local authorities possess any significant background knowledge of private renting and how the sector works - and it sometimes shows in a lack of strategic thinking," he said, adding that tenants see similar problems, with information about access to PRS properties being very poor on council websites.
Posted by Staff Writer: Ewan Robertson
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