Landlords’ retreat

sir – Twenty years ago my wife and I invested in buy-to-let properties as a form of pension provision. The war on landlords (Letters, May 17) has now led us to dispose of one property and convert another to Airbnb. Over the next few years we will retreat from the market, as is the intention of the Government’s strategy.

These moves will only make the housing situation worse. The reduction in properties to rent will increase rental costs and prevent young people from renting for a few years before buying. It will also make it difficult for councils to house people in need as there are not enough council houses and they rely on renting properties from the private sector.

The underlying problem in this country is a shortage of housing for a growing population. Everyone is in favour of more housing as long as it is not near to where they live. The war on the rented sector will do nothing to solve this, but it will stop me voting Conservative at the next election.

Richard Patch

Chilcompton, Somerset

sir – The housing crisis is especially difficult for young adults and those of limited means. The huge increase in deposits required to obtain a mortgage is being made more difficult by rents rising at nearly 5 per cent a year. This is being driven by a shortage of supply caused by the number of private landlords selling their properties.

Landlords are throwing in the towel because of restrictions on allowable expenses and the prospect of not being able to give tenants notice.

Paul F Adams

London SW16