15th
Feb 2016
The private rented sector wants the government to abolish the limitations heaped on lettings agents and landlords, so that longer tenancies can be arranged for tenants.
Government figures claim that the average length of tenancy periods are increasing, this is most common in family rented accommodation. According to a survey published by the English Housing Survey for 2014-2015, since 2005 the percentage of families renting ‘homes’ has risen from 30% to 37% and the trend will continue.
Schooling is obviously the major reason why families are trying to opt for longer tenancies, this is also ‘mirrored’ by the fact that in the last year the average length of tenancy has risen to four years, six months longer that twelve months ago.
A spokesman for a group of landlords said: “More can be done to help landlords offer longer term tenancies without the need for compulsory three or five year tenancies. We are calling on the government to use the Housing and Planning Bill to remove barriers preventing landlords from offering longer tenancies, including mortgage and leasehold conditions that may prevent this.”
Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: “Although in the long run longer tenancies may see landlords receiving lower rents, there are considerable advantages to this arrangement in many cases.
“After a certain period of time you will be in a position to trust the tenants that they will respect the property. Landlords will experience a relatively stress free tenancy and when the tenants leave they will know that the property will not be trashed, leading to expensive refurbishment and lengthy non-rental periods. Needless to say not having to go through the expensive eviction process is a major bonus.”
Richard Merrick concluded: “We would suggest that landlords should carry out regular inspections no matter how good the relationship is with your tenants, just for damage limitation’s sake.”
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