The vast majority of landlords in the UK say they have no plans to increase rents over the next six months, according to a survey.
The HomeLet Rental Index has revealed that 91% of landlords will not be charging their tenants more to rent their home.
However, 34% of landlords said they would increase rents within the next year.
The chief executive of Barbon Insurance which owns HomeLet, Martin Totty, said: “Our landlord clients tell us they would prefer to retain tenants for a long period rather than receive extra income. This attrition of tenants is not something that landlords want.”
Rents on new tenancies being charged has fallen
The index has also revealed that 10 out of the 12 regions they analyse, the rents on new tenancies being charged has fallen slightly or remained static in the third quarter of 2015.
Excluding new tenancies in London, landlords around the UK saw average new rents of £743 a month, that’s a 0.7% fall on the previous quarter.
Landlords in Greater London saw the average rent falling 1% to £1,544.
However, landlords in the East Midlands saw rents rise by 1.2% to £635 while landlords in Yorkshire and Humberside saw their new tenancy rents rising by 0.8%, an average of £626 a month.
Tenants claim that one in three landlords refuse a repair
Meanwhile, a survey by PropertyLetByUs has revealed tenants claiming to have experienced unreasonable delays for having repair work undertaken.
In addition, one in three tenants has claimed their landlord or letting agent has refused to carry out a repair.
A director of the letting agency, Jane Morris, said: “Letting agents and landlords should deal with a repair request quickly and use experienced and qualified contractors for carrying out the work.”
She added that the most common complaints are faulty boilers and showers, roof leaks, mould and condensation as well as broken windows. Tenants also reported problems with pests and vermin and smoke alarms.
Guidelines to help letting agents and landlords deal with complaints
PropertyLetByUs has now set out its guidelines to help letting agents and landlords deal with complaints within reasonable response times.
The firm says agents and landlords have a duty of care to advise tenants on what to do while contractors are being organised to carry out a repair.
This may mean switching off gas and electricity supplies and water stopcocks.
The firm also adds that any major electrical or gas fault should be treated urgently and dealt within a day or less, particularly when it affects hot water or heating in cold weather.
In addition, water leaks should be repaired within 24 hours and cookers within two days.
