Anyone else the recent report by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and the New Economics Foundation? https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/tax-rises-hit-landlords-harder-than-a-two-year-rent-freeze-report-claims   It argues that putting in rent controls could trigger a "managed transfer" of homes out of the PRS and into the hands of first-time buyers, housing associations and local councils.   The reality looks very different, especially in city centres like Manchester.   When private landlords are exiting market, three massive points get overlooked:   The Manchester Trap: In many city centre blocks, ground rents sit over £250 per annum or feature doubling clauses. Also in many blocks there is a high number of investment properties, they have been built to sell to investors 🤷🏻‍♀️ Because high-street mortgage lenders often refuse to lend to first-time buyers on these leasehold terms, or where its an investor lead block, the properties can't easily be bought by owner-occupiers. So they are sold to cash-rich institutional investors, keeping them in the PRS but shifting control away from local, independent landlords.   The Funding Hole: The report suggests councils could use future, long-term savings from reduced housing benefit spend to buy up half of the properties landlords sell. But councils and housing associations are already struggling. They cannot buy thousands of homes today using "hypothetical savings" that take 5 to 10 years to build.   The Profit Misconception: The report argues that landlords maintain higher profit margins than other sectors, it skims over the real-world impact of recent interest rate spikes and tax changes.   Pushing aggressive rent controls risks driving out the stable, local landlords who provide vital flexibility to the housing ecosystem, leaving a massive gap that the state is not currently equipped to fill.   I know a lady whose landlord has sold after a 17 year tenancy stating its due to all the changes. That person is now living with family and University age children have no home to return too.   It is time to stop demonising private landlords and recognize that the PRS plays a critical role in a healthy, balanced housing market. If we force a mass exit, it’s the tenants who end up with no where to live.   Anyway - rant over, hope everyone enjoyed the football. Photo is me out racing this morning, do not reccomend 🤣   If you would like to chat about the property market, or have property to sell or let in Manchester / Stockport drop me a message   #PropertyMarket #ManchesterProperty #PrivateRentedSector #BuyToLet #HousingPolicy #PropertyManagement  

Posted by Ann Durrell at 2026-07-12 11:29:34 UTC