Only 2% of councillors in England see the private rented
sector supply of housing as their top priority for new housing supply, a survey
has revealed. The low priority for the PRS reflected major concerns councils
have about regulating large numbers of small buy-to-let landlords; the poor
quality of PRS homes; short leases and security of tenure; and rising rent
levels. Conducted by the Smith Institute in partnership with Places for People,
the survey - ‘The growth of the private rented sector: what do local
authorities think?’ - found that councillors and officers are concerned with
the quality of homes in the PRS – especially at the bottom end of the market.
Download a copy of the report from the Smith Institute website.
