Would-be first-time buyers who are unable to afford a mortgage deposit to get on the housing ladder are set to require landlord services in the coming months as they seek out homes in the private rented sector.
That is the view of Lucian Cook, director of residential research at estate agent Savills, who has suggested that there will be many consumers "effectively excluded" from buying property in the foreseeable future.
Private landlords could therefore find demand for their homes is high, as people opt to spend more time in rented residences.
Last month, research from the Association of Residential Letting Agents found that the number of accidental landlords in the UK is starting to drop, compared to earlier in the year.
And FindaProperty.com's Rental Index also indicated that monthly rental stock levels dropped by a record amount in October.
"I suspect that you will see stock on the rental market become eroded over a period from here on in [and] get back to much more normal levels," said Mr Cook. "I suspect that will also bring some degree of stability into rental levels."
Written by John Weeks
