Released on = May 8, 2007, 10:21 am

Press Release Author = Jimwatson

Industry = Real Estate

Press Release Summary = Increased competition in the buy-to-let market means that
most rental properties are now of a higher standard than ever, an industry body has
claimed. Recent reports from a variety of sources have indicated that the rentals
sector is enjoying an unprecedented level of demand., fuelled by several factors
including ever-increasing house prices and an influx of immigrants who do not have
the necessary capital to purchase a property outright.

Press Release Body = Increased competition in the buy-to-let market means that most
rental properties are now of a higher standard than ever, an industry body has
claimed. Recent reports from a variety of sources have indicated that the rentals
sector is enjoying an unprecedented level of demand., fuelled by several factors
including ever-increasing house prices and an influx of immigrants who do not have
the necessary capital to purchase a property outright.

The recent upturn in demand has \"rescued and revitalised\" the rental sector,
according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla), a professional
and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. Spokesman Malcolm Harrison says
the increasing number of buy-to-let investors \"has brought in good landlords who
have got good quality properties\", as well as making the market \"competitive - which
is good for the tenants\".

As a result of higher standard properties becoming available to the renter, the
average length of tenancies is going up, according to Arla statistics, with tenants
on average now staying in a property for 17 months - and 25 per cent of tenants have
been in their property for two years or more. Increased tenant satisfaction may be
partly ascribed to the fact that rental properties are now usually structurally
sound and \"nicely furnished\", says Mr Harrison, because \"investor landlords are
going to be careful what they invest in - they\'re going to make the property
competitive because they want to let it quickly\".

Another factor of interest to the buy-to-let investor is the increased acceptance of
renting a home. According to a recent survey undertaken by Alliance & Leicester, it
is now more \"socially acceptable\" than ever before to live in a rented home. The
building society predicts a 41 per cent increase in the size of the buy-to-let
market over the course of the next ten years, describing it as \"buoyant\".

Stephen Leonard, director of mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, remarked: \"Demand
for rented property has been growing steadily in recent years and returns on
buy-to-let have increased. This growth is expected to continue - as the number of
renters rises further and buy-to-let becomes even more attractive to both existing
and potential landlords.\"

Mr Harrison agreed, saying he has seen a recent \"change in culture\". \"People are
happy to live in rented accommodation now\", he remarked. \"People are not being in
such a rush to get onto the property ladder and all these various components come
together in a buoyant, sustainable, private rented sector market.\"

Web Site = http://www.assetz.co.uk/

Contact Details = Assetz House, Newby Road, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 5DA, 0845 400
7000, linkexchangeseo@gmail.com