A large proportion of those in the residential lettings industry remain on the fence about who they will vote for in the general election on July 4.
A survey of more than 1,000 property professionals found nearly half of landlords and letting agents remain undecided about how to cast their vote or are open to changing their minds ahead of the national poll.
According to the survey by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) and Goodlords, only 45 per cent of landlords and 39 per cent of letting agents have decided who they will vote for.
Some 27 per cent of landlords and 19 per cent of letting agents are still open to having their minds changed, while 19 per cent of landlords and 26 per cent of letting agents do not know who to vote for.
However, 81 per cent of landlords and 70 per cent of letting agents say the specific policies adopted by the political parties will play a role in how they decide to vote.
This means that parties that listen to industry concerns could stand to unlock a large number of swing votes from across the private rented sector.
Among landlords, 73 per cent say that party policies relating to the private rented sector (PRS) will influence their vote.
Only six per cent of landlords said party policies towards the PRS would have no influence on their vote.
The PRS policy areas identified by letting agents as the most likely to influence their vote included the fact that 24 per cent would be more inclined to vote for a party that reinstated tax relief for landlords under section 24.
However, despite PRS policy being a key area of concern for both agents and landlords, a range of other areas are considered more important by property professionals when it comes to how they will vote.
The policy area that letting agents care most about is the cost of living crisis, with over half (51 per cent) saying it was their top priority.
In contrast, only 17 per cent of landlords cited cost of living as their number one concern.
Instead, among landlords, the leading policy area likely to influence their vote is general economic competence of the government
However, a majority of both landlords and letting agents stated that policies relating to the NHS and taxation are their second and third most valued priorities respectively.
Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, says:“With British politics in a state of flux in the run-up to the general election, these findings reveal how both parties, with the right approach, can win landlord support for policies which will help build a stronger private rented sector.
“This data shows how landlords and agents are eager to support a party which promises to put in place the foundations of a successful rental market.
“We urge the government to continue to engage with key stakeholders across the sector to ensure the legitimate concerns of both groups are taken into account.”
