Private landlord

Definition

A person or organisation (such as a limited company) who lets property to third parties, called tenants or renters. According the English Housing Survey, 19% of housing in the UK is provided by private landlords.

This is a different category to social landlords, who are registered with the social housing regulator, such as housing associations or councils, and provide social housing.

The “average” landlord has a small portfolio. According to government figures from 2021, 82% of landlords own under 5 properties, with 43% owing only one rental property. This leaves 18% of landlords who owned five or more properties, but they represent almost half (48%) of tenancies.

Useful links

English Private Landlord Survey 2021 – comprehensive survey published in May 2022 into how landlords acquire, let, manage and maintain privately rented accommodation.

You may also find helpful

Social housing

Private rented sector

graphic with What is a Private Landlord? and a woman's hand holding keys with wooden house keyring
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