One in three landlords will sell their rental properties if rent controls become regulated, according to a trade body’s poll.

Image credit: iStock

The research and consultancy service survey’s data found that between April to June 82% of landlords in England and Wales said they were experiencing high demand for ‘rental homes’ from tenants.

The South West had the highest demand from tenants followed by the South East, the East of England and the East Midlands.

The North East had the lowest demand with 68% of landlords saying it was strong.

In spite of tenant’s high demand landlords were more than likely to have sold properties than to have bought more BTL homes in the last twelve months.

The poll’s data shows that 8% of respondents had bought rental properties whilst 17% had sold properties.

Over the next year 10% of landlords were planning to buy new properties to be rented out whereas one in three said they intend to sell some or all of their rental properties.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London announced earlier this year  his intentions to build 6,000 plus rent-controlled homes and will “pursue dodgy landlords” who don’t comply with the rules and standards by issuing up to two years Rental Repayment Orders for affected tenants.

In April Sadiq Khan said: “I’ve been calling for the power to freeze rents in the capital for years, but the government has refused. I’m not willing to stand by and do nothing so I commit to delivering new rent control homes across London, with 6,000 in the first phase.”

A spokesperson for the trade body that commissioned the poll, says: “Whichever way you look at it there are more renters looking for a place to live than there are homes available.”

“Ultimately rent controls would be a disaster for tenants. All they would do is choke off supply further, undermining what little choice tenants currently have when looking for somewhere to live.”