The gloves are off among landlords after NRLA chief Ben Beadle today said figures showing 25 tenants chasing each available rental property are proof Tory policies have been a ‘failure’.

These have included removing tax relief on mortgage interest on BTL loans, introducing a 3% additional Stamp Duty on rental property purchases and the looming Renters (Reform) Bill, which is due to significantly increase regulation of landlords.

The rent increase figures come from Rightmove, which also says the number of properties available to rent on its site is 35% lower than before the Covid pandemic, with shortages worse for smaller houses and apartments.

Ria Laitmer, Lettings Property Manager at Clarkes in Dorset (pictured), says: “We’ve been really feeling the pressure of having to manage the mounting number of enquiries for each rental property we have available.

“Chasing up references was taking hours out of our working week, as well as all the back and forth of getting a tenant into a property.”

Responding to the figures, Beadle (main picture) says: “Tenants are bearing the brunt of the supply crisis in the rental market. This is a result of failed Government policies.

“Throughout the Conservative conference ministers said they wanted landlords to have the confidence to stay in the market

“But warm words will achieve nothing without policies to make this happen.

“The Government must take action to stem the loss of rental properties across the country.

“The Treasury needs encourage investment by reversing the damaging tax hikes which penalise landlords who provide much-needed housing.

“It’s also crucial that the Government makes clear assurances that landlords who make legitimate possession claims will not become mired in a broken court system once section 21 evictions are abolished.”

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