Give Tenants Longer Agreements, Says Consumer Group

A consumer watchdog calls for buy to let landlords give tenants with children more extended rental agreements.

Citizens Advice has disclosed that 40% of families renting with children have less than six months to run on their agreements.

Research by the charity shows that at least a third would like the security of a longer tenancy so they did not have to move home and schools so often.

Citizens Advice says families comprise around four in every ten buy-to-let rentals – about 1.5 million households nationwide.

These renters told researchers:

• The insecurity of having to move at short notice made planning harder for 60% of families
• More than a third felt they could not find another suitable home within their rental agreement notice period
• Nearly half (46%) revealed they would prefer not to have to move so often

The charity also claimed family tenants had complaints about the quality of their homes.

• 52% had damp or condensation issues
• 28% had doors or windows that would not lock
• 20% of homes had faulty electrics

Chief Executive Gillian Guy said: “The challenges of living in the private rented sector can be even more acute for people with children.

“Families are living under a cloud of uncertainty. This can make planning, such as where your child can go to school, a real struggle.

“With home ownership on the decline, the private rented sector needs a major overhaul. While there are signs of progress - such as the ban on letting agent fees – action is needed to improve the security of tenure for private tenants and the quality of private rented homes.”

The government has rejected proposals for mandatory five-year tenancy agreements following consultation with landlords, tenants and other property experts.

The grounds included a lack of interest from landlords and tenants and a view that renters could already agree to longer tenancies if they wished under current rules.