Influencing policy
Propertymark published a position paper in September 2024, Access to the Private Rented Sector for Welfare-dependent Tenants, which includes recommendations to the UK Government on how lower-income families and individuals can be supported to secure and maintain stable tenancies.
We are a member of the Cutting the Cost Coalition, a group formed to collaborate on reforms to Local Housing Allowance. We also attend the regular Department for Work and Pensions Private Rented Sector Forum, having lobbied for its reintroduction following the COVID-19 shutdown.
Personal independence payments (PIP)
Ministers propose increasing the eligibility threshold, which would lead to some claimants losing their PIP. We strongly recommend that those in this category receive a phased reduction or a lead time long enough to allow them to adjust. The continued cost of living crisis and high energy costs mean that sudden loss of income for people already in a vulnerable group could push them into crisis. It is also important support is provided for claimants to understand if they are eligible for any other help if PIP is reduced or lost.
Unemployment insurance
To be created by replacing Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance, this time-limited benefit is designed to provide stronger income protection during periods of unemployment whilst people actively seek work.
Propertymark is cautiously positive about this proposal but has asked the UK Government for more detail about how it would be structured and implemented. We would like to see support in place for housing costs for as long as claimants need it and urge policymakers to allow payments directly to both private and social landlords.
Equality across rented sectors
Registered Social Landlords are often able to access additional support for their tenants which is unavailable to private landlords, such as training opportunities, flexible job schemes, budgeting support or disability employment advice.
The UK Government should fund local authorities to support community development initiatives that work collaboratively with both social and private landlords to support their tenants into work.
Engagement with the private rented sector
We have long encouraged Ministers to approach landlords and their agents as vital housing providers who are an integral part of the housing ecosystem. A growing number of older, vulnerable, and disabled people live in the PRS, where letting agents are well placed to provide support.
By working with property professionals, providing training, and opening doors for agents to interact with benefit claims and work coaching, the UK Government could encourage partnerships to better support the needs of individuals.
What’s missing from the proposals
Whilst the UK Government progresses its plan to build 1.5 million homes, the chronic shortage of housing is still a reality. Propertymark will continue to campaign for measures which help keep housing options open, especially for those in lower income groups.
We have repeated our calls for changes to housing-related benefits, including:
Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
LHA must be set at the thirtieth percentile and uprated annually to keep up with market rents. When public finances allow, the UK Government should consider setting rates at the fiftieth percentile.
Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR)
The SAR is a lower LHA rate designed for single, private renters under 35 who are not living with a partner or children. This rate typically covers the cost of a room in a shared house, although this is not a suitable choice for everyone. Single renters under 35 are generally restricted to the shared accommodation rate, even if they are the sole occupier of their accommodation.
Propertymark has repeatedly called for the SAR to be suspended to make it easier for younger people to secure tenures in the Private Rented Sector.
Universal Credit (UC)
UC should be reformed by removing the five-week waiting time for initial payment, converting advance payments into grants from loans, and giving tenants the right to ask for their rent to be paid directly to their landlord.
