Private rental sector 'need government support'

As it increasingly becomes key to the UK's future housing strategy, it is important that the private rental industry receives support from the government, one group has urged.

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) made its comments after research revealed that demand for property to rent in London is now outweighing the number of available flats and houses.

Indeed, 19 per cent of members of the organisation claimed they now had more tenants than properties, compared with the 6.9 per cent who stated this six months previously.

ARLA's operations director Ian Potter, said: "What is also manifestly apparent is that landlords need governmental assistance in ensuring that stock is of the quality that modern housing standards demand."

The group has suggested introducing capital allowances for landlords improving housing stock over a certain age and removing VAT on the purchase of materials and labour in order to improve older property brought into the rental market.

Such news may be of interest to Britons looking for flats to rent in Blackheath or another area of London.

The Land Registry revealed this month that house prices increased by an average of 1.4 per cent in London during October.

Written by Charles Mackay

Published 30th November, 2009

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