LANDLORDS RESPOND TO RISING COST OF HOUSING BENEFIT

 

Responding to the findings from the National Housing Federation* (NHF) about the cost of housing benefit in the UK, Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer at the National Landlords Association (NLA), said:

“Housing benefit is not a subsidy to landlords; it’s a support for tenants to ensure they can pay for their housing.  However, the proportion of landlords who let to tenants in receipt of housing benefit has halved over the last five years as benefit levels have not kept up with rents.

“The NHF is clearly still reeling from the news that its members have been ordered by government to reduce spending over the next four years, so it comes as no  surprise that they are looking to shift the emphasis and point the finger elsewhere.

“The private rented sector has grown as the market responds to the increasing demand for homes, particularly from a growing proportion of tenants whom the social sector and housing associations simply are not able to support in the current circumstances.

“The private rented sector plays a significant role in providing much-needed homes for tenants so there seems no real benefit in the NHF taking a cheap shot at landlords.  What we should all be talking about is the failure of successive governments to adequately allocate its housing budget and to incentivise the building of new homes.  In the long term, that would be the best use of taxpayers’ money”.

For further information, please contact:

Alex Brent
PR Executive, NLA
020 7820 7904
alex.brent@landlords.org.uk

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Landlord Demographics Remain Broadly Unchanged

Propertymark analyses the latest figures from the English Private Landlord Survey 2024, published alongside headline findings from the English Housing Survey 2024–25, showing that the profile of private landlords in England has remained remarkably consistent with previous surveys, even as landlords navigate ongoing tax changes and evolving standards and expectations. The data highlights that the…
Read More
Breaking News

London’s most prestigious postcodes revealed

The latest research from Enness Global has revealed London’s 11 most prestigious postcodes based on average sold price data, with the SW1A postcode covering Mayfair and St James’s topping the table, where the average home sold for £2.375m. Enness Global analysed sold price data from the Land Registry, examining transactions to have completed across London’s…
Read More
Software & Tech

Software GDTJ45 Builder Problems: Causes, Solutions, and Best Practices

If you’ve been using GDTJ45 Builder software, you might have noticed it’s not always as smooth and reliable as expected. From installation errors to unexpected crashes and slow performance, many users experience problems that can disrupt workflow, delay projects, and cause frustration. This article will walk you through the most common GDTJ45 Builder problems, explain…
Read More
Breaking News

Developers draw confidence from improving lending landscape

Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital, believes that improving conditions across the lending landscape have helped to boost developer confidence heading into a new year, despite a number of challenges still remaining, with specialist finance remaining a key weapon in their arsenal. The latest survey of UK property developers, commissioned by specialist lender Octane Capital,…
Read More
Breaking News

Happy New Year! UK construction performance finishes 2025 on a high

GLENIGAN INDEX: UK construction starts 2026 on a stronger footing with 2025 concluded with a significant increase in project starts during the Index period The value of project starts increased by 7% during Q.4, but remained 7% below 2024 levels. Residential construction starts declined by 2% in the preceding three months and by 20% against…
Read More
Breaking News

Prime London homeowners unmoved by mansion tax

The latest look at prime London property supply from Jefferies London has shown that the volume of homes priced at £2m or more listed for sale across Prime Central London (PCL) fell by -9.3% during the fourth quarter of 2025, but £2m+ homes still account for 35% of PCL stock. Jefferies London analysed current for-sale…
Read More