Most landlords are not convinced that Michael Gove is the right person to lead the newly named Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, but hope he’ll treat them fairly.
A new survey from online lettings company LettingaProperty.com found that just 10% of landlords agree with his appointment as Housing Minister, compared to 23% who disagree with it and 67% who are ambivalent.
There is also scepticism over whether Gove will prove to be landlord-friendly; of those surveyed, just 11% feel he will, while 36% feel he won’t, and the remaining 52% are unsure.
A desire to be treated fairly topped their list of priorities, followed by a desire to see Gove deal with rogue landlords, while bringing back mortgage interest relief and avoiding red tape were also uppermost in many landlords’ minds.
Jonathan Daines, LettingaProperty.com founder and CEO, says the survey highlights the scale of the new minister’s need to win over hearts and minds.
“Landlords will be watching and waiting to see how well Michael Gove rises to the challenge,” he says.
“Many of those providing much-needed rental homes seem to be reserving their judgement, creating both an opportunity and a challenge for him.”
Adds Daines: “The UK continues to be desperately short of homes, while landlords have been on a tumultuous ride in terms of government-induced financial changes over the past few years.
“Given the impact of those changes, it is perhaps unsurprising that so many landlords are on the fence about whether Gove will be prepared to fight their corner.”
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