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.
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.
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.
Scottish tenancy reform: Some positives with more to follow?
The NRLA teamed up with the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) to give landlords and letting agents in Scotland a chance to give their views on the recent tenancy and possession reforms introduced by Holyrood. The system is new, there are concerns but there are clearly elements of the new system which are welcomed. However there is still much to do before landlords would agree the new system could be considered "a success".
Rent controls - evidence says "no"
Across Western Europe and North America there is continued interest in applying rent controls in the Private Rented Sector (PRS). This post looks at our report on the experience of rent controls in Europe and the USA. Rent control policies where they exist have not slowed down rent growth - indeed the opposite may be true.
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.
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