Affordability Is The Most Important Issue For Tenants In The UK, New Poll Suggests

Affordability is the most important factor for tenants in the UK looking for a home to rent, according to a new survey. The cost of renting a home was the top factor for over 40% of respondents to the research carried out by Intus Lettings. Only 8% prioritised amenities, including restaurants and public transport links as a driving force behind their decision on a tenancy, it also found. An outdoor space is also important with 46% saying they would like a garden, terrace or balcony while 40% would be put off by a property without a parking space, and 24% said they would be deterred by dated interiors. Read more on the Property Wire website.

https://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/affordability-is-the-most-important-issue-for-tenants-in-the-ujk-new-poll-suggests/

Nearly 250,000 Of The Cheapest Rented Homes Will Be Lost

Measures to support the building of new affordable rented homes is ‘desperately needed’, the Chartered Institute of Housing has said after it predicted nearly 250,000 of the cheapest rented homes could be lost between 2012 and 2020. CIH made the projections after figures released by the government showed the total number of such homes available at social rent fell by more than 120,000 between 2012 and 2016. Though 44,600 new homes were built for social rent over that period many more were lost because housing providers have converted them to higher affordable rents to raise extra income or sold them under the right to buy. And CIH is forecasting this will continue over the next four years. Read more on the CIH website.

Hundreds Of New Homes For Armed Forces

Step Forward has stepped up to bring the housing plight of ex-services personnel to attention. Working alongside First Ark, a social enterprise and social investment company based in the North West, Step Forward Housing have agreed to purchase homes in Tytherington, Cheshire. The organisation will then make them available to armed forces/ ex-armed forces personnel, as well as emergency workers such as the fire and ambulance services, members of the police and NHS staff. By working alongside First Ark and drawing on their expertise, Step Forward Housing plan on making 200 homes available for shared ownership and rental this year, a figure set to increase year upon year. Read more on 24housing.

Chancellor Urged To Hit ‘Reset’ On Landlord Tax Changes

Tenants in the private rented sector face the prospect of higher rents as landlords pass on the costs of tax increases, according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). In a survey of almost 3,000 of its members, the organisation found that around two thirds of them were planning to increase rents because of higher taxes. The survey also found that the same proportion do not plan on purchasing any additional properties for their portfolio. Nearly a third of landlords are considering leaving the market altogether. This is despite predictions that one million new homes to rent will be needed by 2021. The majority of landlords (56%) plan to increase rents in the next 12 months to offset the impact of changes to mortgage interest relief. Read more on the RLA website.