Following Michael Gove’s appointment as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, a survey from online lettings company LettingaProperty.com reveals reactions from landlords.
Calls for landlords to be treated fairly topped the list of priorities, followed by a desire to see Gove deal with rogue landlords. Many landlords are also keen for the return of mortgage interest relief and to avoid too much legislation.
Just 10% of landlords agreed with the appointment of Gove as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, compared to 23% who disagreed with it and 67% who were ambivalent.
Jonathan Daines, Founder and CEO, LettingaProperty.com, comments: “Clearly, the new Housing Minister has some way to go to convince landlords that he is the right person for the job. There’s an opportunity here to tackle rogue landlords head on and support the private rented sector to flourish through the fair and appropriate treatment of both landlords and tenants. Landlords will be watching and waiting to see how well Michael Gove rises to the challenge.”
Of those surveyed, only 11% felt that he would, while 36% felt that he would not. The remaining 52% were unsure.
The LettingaProperty.com survey highlights the scale of Gove’s need to win over hearts and minds when it comes to establishing himself in the housing sector.
Daines comments: “Many of those providing much-needed rental homes seem to be reserving their judgement, creating both an opportunity and a challenge for Michael Gove.
“The UK continues to be desperately short of homes, while landlords have been on a tumultuous ride in terms of government-induced financial changes over the past few years. Given the impact of those changes, it is perhaps unsurprising that so many landlords are on the fence about whether Gove will be prepared to fight their corner.”