A Swansea landlord has shelved plans to expand his property portfolio in the UK due to growing concerns over the Government’s upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB). Marcel Price, 47, who owns seven rental properties in the city, believes the proposed changes have created too much uncertainty for small landlords to justify further investment. Although not currently planning to sell, Mr Price fears the reforms may leave him with no choice but to shift his business model. He is now seriously considering converting his properties into short-term holiday lets, which would remove them from the private rental market altogether. If left unaddressed, he warned that the reforms could shrink the rental sector and drive-up prices, with renters ultimately footing the bill.

'Uncertainty for private landlords'

Speaking to The i Paper, he said: “The RRB is causing a great deal of uncertainty for private landlords. Goalposts keep shifting and there is a constant continuous lobbying of the Government by tenant rights groups. The consequences of this will see far fewer rental properties on the market and higher rents to cover significantly increased risks and bureaucracy. Tenants will lose out more than landlords as they will shoulder the higher rents and also will have a smaller pool of properties to choose from.” The RRB, currently progressing through parliament, will introduce a series of major reforms to England’s private rental sector, including the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and so-called “no-fault” evictions under Section 21 of the Housing Act. It is expected that the changes will be phased in from late 2025, starting with new tenancies and later applying to existing contracts. (Photo: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty)

Abandoned plans

Mr Price runs a property business full time with his partner. They currently let out two residential homes and five houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) for students, all in Swansea. The couple had originally aimed to grow the business by acquiring a new property every one to two years. That plan has now been abandoned. (Photo: Chris Griffiths/Getty/Moment RF)

Student housing

Student housing, in particular, is under threat from the Bill, he said. Fixed-term tenancies, usually aligned with the academic year, will no longer be allowed. Instead, tenants will be able to end their agreements with just two months’ notice. He said: “Our biggest anxieties with the RRB particularly concern our student lets. With these types of properties, ending fixed-term tenancies will completely destroy the market. If the Bill is passed, private landlords and those with smaller portfolios like me, will be driven out of the market. Allowing tenants to give two months’ notice will be particularly damaging as it’s so much harder to re-let rooms around term times. Better protection needs to be put in place for private landlords.” (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty)

'A two-tiered system'

He said his concerns are increased given changes to stamp duty, court backlogs for evictions, “red tape”, risk of rent controls, and the mass introduction of purpose-built student accommodation, with at least seven large towers being built in Swansea in recent years. He added: “These types of buildings are not subjected to the same controls and standards of private student accommodation. They are protected from ending fixed-term tenancies. They also have far lower thresholds for amenities such as parking, bicycle storage, kitchen facilities etc. it has become a two-tiered system geared at protecting large corporations. All of the aforementioned have caused us to pause in growing our business. We are not at the point of selling but may be forced into converting into holiday lets as a business model. Originally, we were aiming to grow by a property every one to two years.” (Photo: Geraint Rowland Photography/Getty/Moment RF)

'It feels very anti-landlord'

If he had the opportunity to address MPs directly, Mr Price said he would ask them to listen to landlords who “understand the implications of the policies they are introducing”. He said: “I want them to provide a fair balance between tenants and landlords that protects both parties’ interests. It needs to be better balanced. Housing laws need to be looked at pragmatically. Currently, it all feels very anti-landlord. But ultimately, it’s not just us that it will affect – it’s tenants too. The rental supply will lessen, rents will increase, and no one will benefit.” (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty)

'Good landlords have nothing to fear'

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Good landlords have nothing to fear from our RRB, and there is no evidence of a landlord exodus since reform has been put on the table. “We will level the playing field and ensure that landlords benefit from more straightforward regulation, while giving tenants greater security by banning section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and boosting supply by delivering 1.5 million homes through our Plan for Change.” (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA)