Could Regulating Short-Term Lets Help The Rental Market?

According to lettings payment automation provider, PayProp, regulating the fledgling market would reduce the number of negative experiences and allow more people to benefit from the availability of short-term rentals. The fast-growing short-term lettings market could benefit from regulation of short lets, akin to that seen in traditional lettings, is needed to provide the necessary protection for all stakeholders. The short-term lets market has grown rapidly in recent years – tenants enjoy the flexibility it offers, while landlords are attracted to the high yields it can provide. This boom has created many new management opportunities for letting agencies. Read more on the Property Reporter website.

https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/could-regulating-short-term-lets-help-the-rental-market.html

Letting Agent 'Demanding Money To View Properties'

A letting agency has been demanding hundreds of pounds in payment before prospective tenants are allowed to view properties for rent. The practice, by Flintons, breaches guidelines and could be unlawful. Shadow housing minister Melanie Onn said renters needed more rights and the case was the "tip of the iceberg". Flintons, in London, denied any wrongdoing and said it did not charge any fees for viewings. Read more on the BBC website.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46111015

UK Rental Property Demand Falls To Two-Year Low

Demand for privately-rented flats and houses has fallen to a two-year low, while the supply of properties to rent has risen in fresh evidence of a slowdown in the property market. The Association of Residential Letting Agents said there were just 26 prospective tenants registered per branch in December, down from 32 the month before and the lowest figure recorded since records began in January 2015. Meanwhile renters have more properties to choose from. Arla said the number of properties on the books of the typical letting agency branch rose from 185 to 188 on the month. Rents have begun to flatten or fall in many parts of the UK, particularly London and the south. Read more o the ARLA website.