Landlords Back Report Urging Action on Rental Housing Supply Crisis

Landlords are voicing their support for a new report that calls for urgent measures to address the UK’s rental housing supply crisis.

The report, published by the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission, emphasizes the importance of providing sustainable, high-quality, and safe homes for all renters—whether they rent out of necessity or by choice. It asserts that both institutional and private landlords must play a vital role in resolving the housing shortage and should be treated equally alongside large-scale housebuilders.

The Commission’s findings come as leading property organisations, including Zoopla, Rightmove, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), have all warned that demand for rental properties continues to far outstrip supply.

Dame Kate Barker, the housing expert who chaired the Commission until recently, has endorsed calls for a comprehensive plan to improve the justice system, in tandem with the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill. The report stresses the need for a “clear set of standards” that both tenants and landlords can expect from the judicial system, along with a detailed roadmap on how these standards will be met.

National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) Chief Executive Ben Beadle welcomed the report, saying, “Renters across the country are struggling due to a chronic shortage of homes to rent. They need more choice. Both institutional and private landlords have a critical role to play in meeting the country’s housing needs.”

Beadle also echoed the Commission’s call for reforms in the justice system to accompany the Renters’ Rights Bill. “Ministers have pledged to ensure that courts are ready for the changes in the Bill. It’s time for clarity about what ‘ready’ means for the sake of tenants and responsible landlords,” he added.

The report underscores the historic tendency to view renting as a “second-class” option, with policies skewed toward homeownership. It advocates for fair recognition of the contributions made by all types of landlords, from private property owners to larger institutional providers.

Recent data from Zoopla reveals that an average of 21 households are competing for each available rental property, more than double the pre-pandemic levels. Rightmove reports a similar trend, with 15 households chasing every available rental—nearly double the figure from 2019.

Tina Paillet, President of RICS, echoed concerns about the imbalance between supply and demand. “While the Renters’ Rights Bill aims to improve tenant protections, it is essential that these reforms do not push responsible landlords out of the market. The most pressing issue remains: increasing the supply of affordable rental housing,” she said.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook recently confirmed that the government is working closely with the Ministry of Justice to ensure the court system is prepared when the Renters’ Rights Bill comes into effect. However, landlords and industry experts are calling for further clarity on how the government plans to address the long-standing imbalance in the rental market.


Key Points from the Report:

  • Both private and institutional landlords should be recognized as key players in solving the housing crisis.
  • A robust plan for justice system reforms should accompany the Renters’ Rights Bill.
  • Current demand for rental properties far exceeds supply, with multiple households competing for a single property.

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