Deep Insight
These blog posts are written to prompt discussion and debate about the role of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in the UK.
The posts provide more detail on trends which emerge in our analysis of datasets in the Observatory. They also highlight specific topics and comments landlords make in our regular or occasional surveys.
Academics, policy makers and practitioners also make regular contributions to the blog.
Energy Efficiency Challenges in the Welsh PRS: Insights from Wave 3 of the Wales Longitudinal Study
Landlords in Wales face significant challenges in improving energy efficiency due to the prevalence of older housing stock. The recent government proposal requiring all rental properties to achieve a minimum EPC C rating by 2030 intensifies these challenges. Insights from Wave 3 of the Wales Longitudinal Study highlight landlords' concerns and underscore the need for supportive policies to facilitate necessary investments.
A deep dive into BTL lending: interest rates are still driving rents upwards
The NRLA have updated its analysis of BTL lending and its impact on the Private Rented Sector. There is a correlation between the rapid interest rate rises experienced in 2022 and the incresed proportion of landlords raising rents for tenants. Many landlords who opted to lock their repayments for a longer time period are now facing increased rates when they return to market.
Renters' Rights Bill – landlords have their [first] say
The fieldwork for the 2024 Qtr 3 consultation was held almost immediately after the first reading of the Renters' Rights Bill before Parliament. The impact of the Bill on landlord confidence is documented elsewhere.This post outlines the first attempt to identify those key areas of concern landlords have about the Bill. More detailed work looking at individual aspects of the Bill will follow.
![Renters' Rights Bill – landlords have their [first] say](https://www.nrla.org.uk/image/2e4ce0383ce4bbf66ea62a99b3a6f2a73766fbb166ada5a049a5934320057b7f:1200:628)
Bidding Wars – what really happens?
In light of comments on "Bidding Wars" during the General Election, the NRLA sought some evidence. Most landlords have not benefitted from higher than expected rents at all over the last two years. The reasons why rents are bid upwards are more nuanced than often portrayed: far from objecting to action on bidding wars, landlords are often in favour.
Tenants give the thumbs-up (again) for independent landlords
The first edition of Tenant Trends – a collaboration between the NRLA and market research company Pegasus Insight – reconfirms the preference among PRS tenants for independent landlords who self-manage their properties. This includes a very strong showing when tenants were asked whether they would recommend their landlord and the property they rent to another tenant.
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