"If landlords feel like they have no choice but to leave the market, renters will suffer. Lack of supply is already inflating rents, but if landlords follow through on their intentions, the problem will become even more severe"
- Matt Hutchinson - SpareRoom
A record 88% of landlords have no confidence in the current private rental sector, a figure that increases to 90% in London, according to new data from flatsharing website SpareRoom. 34% of landlords plan to leave the sector altogether this year, spelling a stark reduction in long-term rental supply – meaning higher costs for tenants.
29% of landlords plan on reducing the size of their portfolios this year, while 4% prepare to switch their property to a ‘short-term holiday rental’. In London, this is more acute, with 42% of landlords claiming they plan to exit the market in 2025.
The primary reason for the lack of landlord confidence is due to the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill which has a second reading in the House of Lords this week. Many are concerned about the end of Section 21 – the right for a landlord to issue a no-reason eviction. The reduction in profitability in the current market as well as the newly increased capital gains tax is also proving to be a sticking point.
Landlords surveyed also expressed feeling stressed and anxious due to money concerns and the precarious position of their retirement plans, as well as apprehension about future government intervention. 51% believe being a landlord has negatively affected their health and wellbeing in the past 12 months.
When asked what it’s like to be a landlord in the UK in 2025, landlords said:
“I’m a decent landlord and provide a nice flat that is decorated to a good standard. From 2025 landlords will have no protection. This is my pension and I need the same protection as tenants.”
“I'm a small landlord who is worried that I'll have to sell and end what is essentially my pension plan, due to government changes in the private rental sector. I am a good landlord who tries to look after my tenants, but I'm unable and unwilling to deal with the complete handover of control of my own properties to tenants.”
“There is now no incentive to let properties. The reward was marginal for a long time but is less than that now, so it is not worth the risk, effort and expense. It is better to withdraw from the market and simply put the money in an index fund. Less risk, far less work, less of a tax penalty and overall, far less stress.”
“Not all landlords are big businesses," comments Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom, "Almost half (45%) only have one rental property, some of whom have their life savings tied up in their rental property. If landlords feel like they have no choice but to leave the market, renters will suffer. Lack of supply is already inflating rents, but if landlords follow through on their intentions, the problem will become even more severe.
Matt adds, “It’s evident the current rental market isn’t working for anyone – tenants or landlords. The sector needs change that protects and incentivises supply. If the Government wants stability and affordability then change has to work for everyone.
“While common-sense rent reforms will offer tenants greater protection, there is neither support nor incentives for landlords, and nothing in place to protect the market from volatility, which is what we’ll see more of if landlords don’t see the sector as an opportunity worth investing in.”
