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Landlords fearing regulations in 2010

A list of landlords' worries for the year ahead has highlighted existing regulations as a number one concern, and, with more regulations possibly on the way, 2010 could be a cautious year for the letting market.

According to Paragon Mortgages, 58% of landlords said they were worried about the level of regulation required in relation to the running of their property businesses during the year.

With almost 50 Acts of Parliament ring-fencing the private rented sector, and 70 sets of regulations governing the total sector, the government's recent announcement that a national mandatory registration scheme for landlords could become a possibility has done little to alleviate fears.

"It is not surprising that regulation tops the list of landlords' concerns for the year. They already have to comply with a myriad of regulations, which seem to be regularly added to or amended by the Government," said Paragon Mortgages' Managing Director, John Heron.

In addition, HM Treasury (HMT) is currently consulting on whether the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) remit should be extended to regulate the buy-to-let sector. This is likely to tighten buy-to-let product availability and increase the cost of mortgages, which will have knock-on impacts for both residential property investors and tenants and "must be avoided", according to Mr Heron.

"If HM Treasury legislates to give the FSA the power to regulate the buy-to-let market, then buy-to-let mortgage product availability may decline and it could become more expensive to borrow. Any extra costs are likely to be passed on to the ultimate end user - the tenant - and could price the private rented sector out of the reach of some of the more vulnerable households."

Several new regulations have been introduced in recent years, including Energy Performance Certificates, tenancy deposit protection schemes and Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing. And, with other landlord concerns including retaining tenants (32%), finding tenants (31%), tenant disputes (24%), and meeting mortgage payments (12%), 2010 could prove a pivotal year in the letting business.

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