One in three landlords think tenancy deposit rules are 'hindrance'

Nine out ten landlords are either satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of their tenants, according to a new survey carried out by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

More than half of these landlords (53%) were satisfied with the quality of their tenants, while more than a third (34.7%) were very satisfied.

The quality measures included paying the rent on time, looking after the property and general co-operation on other issues. The great majority of landlords felt that the satisfactory quality of their tenants’ behaviour was consistent and a further 20% even thought it was increasing. Only 14% thought the quality was decreasing.
 
Asked about their concerns, 71% of landlords said they were equally worried about complying with regulations and the possibility of rent arrears.

And there was hardly a ringing endorsement for tenancy deposit protection itself.

Only half thought it beneficial to the private rented sector, 20% had no opinion, and nearly one-third thought it a hindrance, while only four in ten (41%) believed that Alternative Dispute Resolution, used to settle tenancy deposit disputes, could be useful for resolving other housing issues.
 
Of the landlords responding, 40% have been landlords for more than ten years and a further 40% had between two and ten years’ experience. Over 70% were either investment landlords or letting for personal financial security.

Only 13.6% were accidental landlords, letting their property because they are unable to sell or because of an inheritance, and 12% have made a career of being a landlord.
 
Steve Harriott, chief executive of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, said: “These findings from our first national survey of landlords show a positive picture of landlord and tenant relations that is very welcome. It augurs well for the private rented sector.”
 
The survey was conducted among over 200 landlords who have their tenancies registered with the TDS.