Communities and Local Government
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- Housing
- Private housing
- Private rented
- Overview of private rented sector policy
Housing
Overview of private rented sector policy
Private rented housing is a vital and growing part of the housing market (almost 12 per cent of all households, 11 per cent of housing stock). It was once the tenure of choice for all but, before the effects of deregulation were felt, the sector made up only 9 per cent of households in 1988.
The sector has been changing: 'Buy to Let' has brought better quality property into the sector - but also many more smaller investors. The private rented sector (PRS):
- offers a flexible form of tenure and widens choice and meets a wide range of housing needs, including those in receipt of Housing Benefit
- contributes to greater labour market mobility
- is increasingly the tenure of choice for the young (48 per cent of 'heads of household' (HRPs) in the PRS are under 35, compared to 20 per cent in social renting and 13 per cent in owner occupation)
- has responded to the growth in student numbers (although this may have led to the 'studentification' of some areas).
The Government wants to strengthen the private rented sector through improved standards in terms of the quality of its properties and landlords' management of those properties and tenancies. Key measures are:
- the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 (health and safety of property, raised management standards through licensing HMOs etc.)
- encouraging voluntary measures such as accreditation and landlords forums, and
- encouraging local authorities and private landlords to work together in meeting housing need.
