Private rented sector faces tougher 2010

Increasing numbers of landlords defaulting on their mortgage repayments will pose a threat to tenants, while problems with the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) system will result in more tenants failing to make their mortgage repayments. Both landlord and tenant defaults and arrears will be compounded by rising unemployment. Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA, says rising demand, driven by a lack of social housing, will lead to pressure on the sector to provide good quality rental properties. He adds: "There has been little commitment from the Government thus far on economic measu...