Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent recovery firm, has backed calls from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) to introduce tax incentives for landlords.

A recent report from the CIH in partnership with think tank the Resolution Foundation, says the introduction of new tax incentives will encourage landlords to reinvest profits from rents back into improving their properties.

This will not only help to raise accommodation standards in the industry but will also help to tackle rogue landlords in the private rented sector. The move has already been backed by the National Landlords’ Association.

Graham Kinnear, managing director at Landlord Assist, said: “This is a clever suggestion which would encourage those committed to their port-folio to further invest and lead to an improvement in the standard of accommodation available in the private rented sector.

“An added benefit would be that those less inclined to improve their properties may now have the incentive to do so, otherwise they risk being unable to attract good quality tenants.”

Stephen Parry, commercial director at Landlord Assist, said: “In a market where there are currently more tenants than available property, those in only an average condition still quickly secure tenants.

“A tax incentive for landlords would mean that a good portion of available property is far better than average and therefore other landlords will need to improve their properties just to keep them occupied.

“This could be great news for the private rented sector.”

The Communities and Local Government’s (CLG) English Housing Survey, published in July, stated that almost one-third of properties available in the private rented sector do not meet modern standards.

Mr Parry said: “There are a small number of landlords who exploit tenants’ vulnerability and will happily take money for substandard accommodation. A tax incentive to landlords would allow those committed to their properties to continue to improve them and also encourage like-minded individuals to enter the buy-to-let marketplace.

“By increasing the supply of quality accommodation, the demand for substandard accommodation will reduce, leaving disinterested landlords with the option to improve or withdraw from the market.

“The number of people living in rented accommodation has more than doubled over the last 15 years and this increase is set to continue as renting becomes the tenure of choice for many people, including more older people and young families.

“It is therefore imperative that accommodation is readily available and of a suitable standard.”

Landlord Assist provides eviction advice to landlords and letting agents throughout the country and can be contacted on 08707 662288.