Articles by Nick Clay

Lending figures continue to show hesitant PRS

New figures from the FCA/Bank of England on the value of residential loans and buy-to-let activity do not yet show the PRS is back to being a favoured vehicle for UK investors and entrepreneurs.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 09/07/2019
Lending figures continue to show hesitant PRS

Section 21 & Landlord Experience

The NRLA has been aware of pressure to reform legislation which impacts on the Private Rented Sector (PRS). Yet Section 21 is a commonly used mechanism by landlords: This note reviews the 2018 Quarter 4 survey to better understand the reasons why Section 21 is needed.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 08/04/2019
Section 21 & Landlord Experience

Private Housing and price inflation - Rent growth continues to lag price indices

In this post, Nick Clay from NRLA research looks at the latest inflation figures and trends in the Index of Private Housing Rental Prices (IPHRP).

Deep Insight Nick Clay 22/07/2019
Private Housing and price inflation - Rent growth continues to lag price indices

A focus on PRS change

The rapid growth of the PRS is now levelling off. Does this represent a new equilibrium in housing tenure? NRLA researcher Nick Clay looks more carefully at the dynamics underneath the headline data.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 13/08/2019
A focus  on PRS change

Universal Credit and Landlords - some solutions for persistent roll-out problems

The 2019 Q1 State of the PRS report focuses on the roll-out of Universal Credit and the imapct it has had on landlords. The majority of landlords report that Universal Credit claimants do go into arrears, despite claims to the contrary.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 28/08/2019
Universal Credit and Landlords - some solutions for persistent roll-out problems

Landlords shine brightly... but energy efficiently

This deep dive into the 2019 Quarter 3 survey reflects on the landlord community's investment in pushing up the energy efficiency of their properties. With much more needed to be done, there is a clear case for a mechanism to bring forward investment and move energy efficiency in the PRS still closer to wider government objectives.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 19/12/2019
Landlords shine brightly... but energy efficiently

Rental price growth: Weak but sustained - An analysis

The Index of Private Housing Rental Prices (IPHRP) continues to be below key measures of inflation. This is the 30th consecutive month the increase in rents in the PRS has been below BOTH the CPI and CPIH.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 14/08/2019
Rental price growth: Weak but sustained - An analysis

PRS recovery: still sustained... still weak

Whilst the IPHRP - the ONS's measure of price growth in the PRS continues to grow. The RLA argue price growth is fragile and weaker than in the wider economy.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 19/09/2019
PRS recovery: still sustained... still weak

Capital Gains Tax & the PRS - negative impacts on the property market

Research which reports on the impact of Capital Gains Tax. CGT traps landlords into holding property longer than planned. In doing so, the tax holds back a functioning property market. The tax reduces property investment as well as the volume of properties available to purchase.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 22/10/2019
Capital Gains Tax & the PRS - negative impacts on the property market

Buy-to-Let figures highlight nervous mood among landlord-entrepreneurs

This post presents Bank of England data on the volume of residential loans to individuals. It provides an overview of overall volumes and the proportion of advances issued in the Buy-To-Let (BTL) market. The 2019 Quarter 3 data - published before Christmas - reflect our caution on the outlook for the PRS and investment in BTL.

Deep Insight Nick Clay 08/01/2020
Buy-to-Let figures highlight nervous mood among landlord-entrepreneurs