Shelter has called for tax breaks for people who want to rent out rooms.
The charity says that the amount a person can receive in income before paying tax is so low it is putting people off offering a room to potential renters.
The threshold of £4,250 has not changed since it was set in 1997 although rents have gone up by more than 110 per cent, Shelter said.
Kay Boycott, director of policy and campaigns, said: ‘In the current economic climate, many homeowners are battling to meet their mortgage payments and many …

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The OFT has today published four research reports undertaken as part of its market study into home buying and selling. These comprise a survey of estate agents, a survey of trading standard services and both qualitative and quantitative consumer research.
Evidence from the research suggests that consumers are increasingly open to alternative methods of buying or selling a home. While the large majority of sellers used a traditional estate agent, more than a third initially considered selling privately, using an online estate agent, or selling at auction. There is a marked …

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An increase in rentals has been predicted by upad, an online service providing information about London properties to rent.
James Davies, founder and chief executive officer of the company, explained the potential increase in demand.
Factors that may lead people to choose to rent a property include a successful working culture, an increase in population and the fact that people are choosing to get married later in life, Mr Davies posited.
“It is no longer a taboo to rent,” he commented, going on to add: “Demand for rental properties is going to be …

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The 200 percent annual increase in letting-related complaints reported by Christopher Hamer, the Ombudsman for Estate Agents highlights the need for the public to be more aware of rapid changes in the property letting industry claims the MD of a nationwide lettings agency.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of Martin & Co, said: “The Ombudsman’s report illustrates a dangerous phenomenon that should be of concern to anyone letting, or thinking of letting their property.
“As properties fail to sell, we have seen a sizeable increase in the number …

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New private landlords have been advised on how to set the correct rent levels for the properties they are marketing.
With a number of industry commentators, such as Gumtree.com and the Association of Residential Letting Agents, indicating that an increasing number of individuals are joining the rental market, it could be welcome guidance for many.
According to email4property.co.uk’s landlord advice, property owners need to be realistic when it comes to setting a rental price.
“Take the [letting] agent’s advice on what is an achievable rent and look at local newspapers and property websites …

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