25
Jan
ARLA reports increased demand for rental properties
The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) has revealed
that almost half (41 per cent) of its members reported that they
had a greater number of tenants than properties on their books in
the final quarter of 2009.
It represented a 17 percentage point increase compared with the
previous three-month period, the organisation noted.
Although 54 per cent of the landlords surveyed stated that they
believed tenants are being forced to rent rather than buy, the
National Landlord's Association (NLA) is unconvinced that this is
the reason for the upsurge in the private rental market.
Simon Gordon, head of communications at the NLA, stated: "These
figure may show some tenants are reluctant to rent but that doesn't
reveal the true story. [...] Increasing numbers are attracted to
renting as a simpler, more flexible alternative to
homeownership."
Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA, described his
organisation's figures as an encouraging sign for the market and
added that more people are beginning to discover the benefits
associated with living in rental accommodation.