Most letting agents have seen an increase in tenants struggling to pay their rent, research has found.
A survey by Arla found 55 per cent of letting agents said tenants were finding it harder to find the money to make their rent payments.
Ian Potter, operations manager of Arla, said unemployment was the main reason people were not being able to pay rent to letting agents.
He said: “The housing market looks increasingly buoyant with demand for rental properties having risen strongly since October. The problem of rental arrears will therefore persist and potentially grow in seriousness.”
Mr Potter added that tenants were at risk of being caught in a web of debt unless they were able to find a solution to their financial problems.
Landlords may find that being sympathetic to tenants who are struggling to pay their rent will be rewarded in the future.
Tessa Shepperson, solicitor at LandlordLaw.co.uk, said landlords should be lenient with good tenants as they would then look after the property better.
This article was brought to you by Rentman the premium property management system.
