The Private Rented Sector: It’s Contribution and Potential is the work of Dr Julie Rugg and David Rhodes, both based at the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York. It was unveiled on 23rd October.

The review includes a number of recommendations including a light-touch licensing scheme for all residential landlords and the creation of government initiatives to ‘grow the business of letting’.

Scott Hendry of Auction Finance Limited, a lender that specialises in providing finance for landlords purchasing new properties at auction, said of the proposals:

“We strongly support any measures that encourage landlords to add to their portfolios and increase the number of quality homes available to tenants in the private rented sector.

“Proposals in the review include reductions in stamp duty for landlords adding multiple properties to their portfolios and a roll-over of Capital Gains Tax in situations where profit from a property sale is reinvested in new acquisitions. Both of these measures would have obvious financial benefits for landlords. They would encourage them to treat their property venture as an ongoing business concern rather than a long term investment and would help to raise the overall standard of accommodation available to tenants.

“In the current economic climate, where the construction industry is suffering and greater numbers of people are unable to access the housing market, the private rented sector will play an increasingly important role in meeting the nation’s housing needs.

“Whilst we believe that further consultation with landlords is required with regard to the implementation of a licensing system, we hope that policymakers will take the taxation recommendations of the Rugg Review to heart and provide landlords of all sizes with the support and incentives which they deserve.”