With the recent election of a new Labour government, many current and prospective rental property investors are understandably curious about how the incoming changes might affect the housing market.

Labour’s housing policy is poised to bring significant reforms aimed at raising standards, increasing tenant security, and investing in lower-cost housing. While some landlords might view these changes with concern, at Find UK Property, we believe these reforms will benefit both our business and our clients.

Understanding Labour’s Housing Policy

Labour’s housing agenda is focused on improving the quality and accessibility of rental housing in the UK. Key initiatives include:

Raising Housing Standards: This will ensure that all rental properties meet a higher standard of living for tenants.
Increasing Security for Tenants: Measures such as banning “no-fault” Section 21 evictions are intended to protect tenants from sudden and unjustified evictions.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency:

The government plans to raise the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards for homes to at least Grade C by 2030.
Investment in Social Housing: Labour aims to channel more resources into the lower end of the housing market, providing greater support for social housing.

Why Find UK Property Clients Stand to Benefit

While these reforms might raise concerns for some landlords, Find UK Property is well-positioned to thrive under these new policies. Here’s how:

1. No Impact from the Ban on Section 21 Evictions

One of the most significant changes is the proposed ban on “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, which have allowed landlords to evict tenants without a specific reason. While this change has sparked worry among many landlords, it is not an issue for our clients.

At Find UK Property, we do not use Section 21 evictions. Instead, our system operates differently: as an investor, you own the property, but we lease it from you, effectively becoming the tenant. This means you are insulated from any direct impact of the eviction ban. Moreover, you retain the ability to resell your property or increase rent as per our agreed terms, ensuring a steady, reliable income stream without the typical landlord responsibilities.

2. Proactive Upgrades to Energy Efficiency Standards

The government’s push to elevate EPC ratings to Grade C by 2030 is another area where Find UK Property is ahead of the curve. We are already committed to upgrading our properties to meet these standards. For new acquisitions, we renovate homes to achieve Grade C or better, and we are actively updating our existing portfolio. Importantly, these upgrades are carried out at our expense, not yours. This proactive approach not only ensures compliance with future regulations but also enhances the value and desirability of the properties we manage.

3. Meeting and Exceeding Housing Standards

Raising housing standards is at the core of Labour’s housing strategy, and this aligns perfectly with our operational philosophy. Our properties are thoroughly renovated to comply with current and forthcoming standards. Additionally, our flexi-furnished options allow us to tailor each home to the specific needs of tenants, making them more appealing and reducing vacancy rates.

4. Benefitting from Investment in Social Housing

Labour’s planned investment in social housing and related support systems could lead to increased demand for properties in this sector. Many of our tenants are classified under the social housing category, and we anticipate that government grants and financial support will increase. This makes our properties even more attractive to potential tenants, which in turn makes our business even more stable, after 16 years of successful trading. To better serve this segment, we have established a dedicated Social Housing department, ensuring that we are well-equipped to handle any changes and capitalize on new opportunities.

Steven Hickey, Marketing Director at Find UK Property comments on the positive changes in the rental property landscape:

“The new Government agenda is designed to give tenants greater protection from bad landlords and ensure they are treated fairly. It’s to ensure good living standards and peace of mind for renters. As a good landlord, we welcome the changes as we are already compliant. We manage over 2,000 homes and maintain the properties to contractually guaranteed standards on our clients’ behalf.

The reforms align perfectly with our own vision – to change the perception of houses as bricks and mortar assets and view them as ‘homes’ to our tenants: a place where they can live in comfort for the long term and thrive in their communities, without fear of being evicted for no good reason.”

The Find UK Property Advantage

Investing in rental properties can be daunting, especially with the evolving regulatory landscape. However, by partnering with Find UK Property, you gain access to a fully managed, passive investment experience. Our system is designed to shield you from the complexities and risks typically associated with being a landlord.

You benefit from:

Guaranteed Rents: Enjoy a predictable income stream without the hassle of managing tenants or property maintenance.

No Liabilities: We handle all property-related responsibilities, from tenant relations to property upkeep and regulatory compliance.
Flexibility: Whether you want to resell your property or expand your portfolio, our system offers you the flexibility to make decisions that suit your financial goals.

In conclusion, the Labour government’s housing reforms present an opportunity rather than a challenge for Find UK Property and our clients. By choosing us, you align yourself with a forward-thinking company that not only embraces these changes but is also equipped to turn them into advantages for you.