Research by the National Landlords Association has found 52% of landlords have reported rent arrears in the past 12 months. The survey of nearly 600 landlords found the average late paying tenant owed £730 in late rental payments.

The research also found 62% of landlords believe running a lettings business is becoming more difficult.

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, commented:

“It is concerning that more than half of landlords have received late rent payments or no rent at all in the past year. The government cuts to housing benefits will only put further pressure on those tenants who are struggling to pay the rent on time.

“Landlords are unable to absorb this cost of rent arrears long term as they have their own financial commitments such as mortgage repayments, which could increase further with the predicted rise in interest rates. Well over half of landlords surveyed also believe running a lettings business has become harder recently.”