Daniel Watney: Attacking landlords won’t fix private rented sector

The government’s approach towards private landlords risks hurting tenants, a leading London property consultancy is warning, after the government announced an extra £5m towards tackling ‘rogue’ landlords.

Julian Goddard, head of residential at Daniel Watney LLP, has warned the government’s stigmatisation of the buy-to-let sector may end up harming tenants by forcing landlords to withdraw at a time when rental demand is soaring.

Goddard said:

“No one doubts the need to tackle criminal landlords and those who do genuinely makes their tenants’ lives a misery. But these landlords are a tiny minority. The fact is the vast majority of them provide a valuable service in return for a deserved top-up to their income.”

Housing minister Brandon Lewis announced £5m boost for 48 local authorities to tackle rogue landlords – working out at just £104,167 per council. Goddard claimed informing tenants of their rights, promoting accreditation of letting agents, and encouraging more institutional investment in the rental market would have been more effective.

He concluded:

“By stigmatising landlords, the government risks pushing many out of the market, reducing the supply of available properties when demand for rental accommodation is at an all time high.”