The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) wants the Government to introduce tax incentives for landlords after a survey found that almost two thirds, some 61%, would modernise their homes if they were to receive tax relief.

Ian Potter, ARLA’s operations manager, said: “ Many rental properties are old and in need of improvement. But this is possibly the worst time for such an investment to be made by a landlord and its the tenants who are losing out. The private rented sector is dominated by small landlords. For many, the cost of improving stock is intimidating. As a result, many people are living in sub-standard homes with very little prospect of an upgrade and we need to look at new ways to stimulate improvement in this sector.”

Although the Government has acknowledged the need for private rented properties to be improved, Potter said there has been no indication from officials of how this will be done or where the money will come from.

The ARLA survey also found that a typical landlord-owned property is between 50-100 years old and at the time of purchase, a third of properties were in a poor condition and needed refurbishment.