Shelter's Critique of the Lettings Sector: A Call for Change amidst Safety Concerns

A prominent rental industry figure has backed Shelter’s sweeping condemnation of the lettings sector - but insists landlords are not to blame. Mary-Anne Bowring, group managing director at Ringley - a property management and PropTech business - says Shelter’s latest claim about tenants feeling unsafe is largely justified. Shelter says only 51 percent of private renters in England feel their home has made them safe during the Coronavirus pandemic; some 3m live in poor conditions with electrical hazards, pests, or damp-related issues in their home; and 3.6m say they pay too much for the quality of home they have.

A Stagnant Housing Crisis: Three Million Renters in Poor Conditions

Ringley agrees, saying: "The UK has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, especially in the private rented sector, where the majority of homes are converted flats rather than purpose-built, so it comes as no surprise that three million renters report to be living in poor conditions.  "Fundamentally, this research is a damning indictment of our collective failure to build enough new homes of all types and tenures over the past few decades.

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on the Private Rental Sector

However, it is important not to demonize landlords, many of whom have worked closely with their tenants during the pandemic and lockdown to reassure them about the security of their tenancy despite facing considerable financial uncertainty themselves. “The government cannot expect to buy to let investors subsidize renters indefinitely and are now facing higher loan repayments as loan repayment holidays did not extend the term but increased the cost. We need firmer and greater action than the Chancellor announced when monetarily supporting households.” Meanwhile, Shelter’s claims have received a more guarded response from the Local Government Association, which says it’s too early to conclude how Coronavirus has affected the PRS.

Urgent Call for Increased Social Housing Development amidst COVID-19 Challenges

David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, says: “While the impact of COVID-19 on the private rented sector is yet to be seen, what is clear is the desperate need for the country to build more social housing. “With more than one million households on council housing waiting lists, the Spending Review needs to give councils the powers and tools to get building council homes again, which would not only help to meet the government’s annual 300,000 housing target, but reduce homelessness, get rough sleepers off the streets and support people’s wellbeing.

Urgent Call for Increased Social Housing Development amidst COVID-19 Challenges

One of the key solutions to the housing crisis is an increased focus on social housing development. With over one million households on council housing waiting lists, the need for more affordable housing is urgent. David Renard, spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), underscores the importance of building more social homes to address these issues. Increased social housing development would not only help meet the government's housing targets but also reduce homelessness, improve the living conditions of rough sleepers, and enhance overall community wellbeing. The Spending Review must give local councils the tools they need to ramp up construction and deliver on these critical needs.

The Road Ahead: Moving Toward a Fairer and Safer Rental Market

Moving forward, the rental market needs comprehensive reforms to ensure it works for both tenants and landlords. This includes addressing the underlying issues of housing supply, safety, and affordability. As Shelter’s findings make clear, the status quo is unsustainable. We must push for better housing quality standards, greater protection for tenants, and stronger incentives for landlords to improve the homes they rent out. Alongside these measures, a strategic approach to building more social housing is essential to alleviate the housing crisis and create a fairer, more secure environment for all.