A benefits landlord has voiced fears that new laws and standards in the PRS will force her -and others like her - to stop renting to social tenants.

Leonora Eddolls (pictured, main image inset) has been housing unemployed and homeless people for 15 years, but the impending Renters’ Rights Bill, including the abolition of Section 21, as well as the upcoming Decent Homes Standard and policy to make energy efficiency improvements by 2030, means she is seriously reconsidering her business model.

Unlike most investors, Eddolls, who works full-time, can’t raise the rent to cover some of these costs, reports The Telegraph. She bought her first home from the council using Right to Buy in 2010 and now has three more rental properties, one of which is an HMO.

Her tenants rely on housing benefits and are on either very low or no incomes. They often struggle with mental health issues, and it’s not uncommon for her to be called out following anti-social behaviour, says Eddolls. At Christmas, she expects rents to be late and has repayment plans ready to help tenants get back on track.

Unviable

She tells The Telegraph: “My business model will become unviable with all the new legislation. I will no longer be able to offer housing at the price of the local housing allowance, because it would not cover the overheads. Housing benefit tenants are becoming a less viable option.”

Eddolls is also worried about being dragged in front of the court for not doing work in a timely fashion. One property in her portfolio has an EPC rating of D, and another needs a new kitchen which will cost about £20,000.

She adds: “Who does the government think is going to pay for that? My tenants can’t. I have four in the property that needs a new kitchen. They won’t have anywhere to go if I have to evict them.”

Images: Streetview/Leonora Eddolls