The private rented sector has been the only tenure to grow in the last decade. Yet despite its resurgence after decades of decline and then stagnation the PRS is still viewed by some as primarilynot a tenure of choice. However, there has been a growing recognition that with rising housing demand, undersupply of new housing and problems accessing mortgages the PRS is not only likely to stay but continue expanding. Whether such growth will be driven, as it has in the past, by small landlords or by intuitional investors and larger landlords is still unclear.
Nevertheless, what is clear, and as the report demonstrates, councillors and local government officials have serious concerns about the quality of the PRS housing stock and management, especially the homes for those on low incomes. As some officers note in the interviews this perception can often taint views on PRS landlords and dampen the enthusiasm amongst elected members for encouraging the PRS to grow in their area.
This assessment of views from councillors and officers responsible for housing sets out to explore some of the key issues for the private rented sector in their area. The report covers a range of concerns issues and captures the views of both councillors and officers on the growth and future growth of the PRS; how it is supported and regulated; the quality and management of the PRS; actions they would like central government to take (including additional resources and freedoms for local authorities); and how investment in the PRS might change.