Why Independent Landlords Are Vital to the West Norfolk Private Rented Sector

Why Independent Landlords Are Vital to the West Norfolk Private Rented Sector

“Amateur landlords sell-up ahead of Labour rent reforms,” The Telegraph recently in Auust. Maybe it’s understandable that landlords feel concerned about what will be sizeable changes to lettings legislation in the form of the Renters’ Rights Bill, especially as it comes sandwiched between other reform to hit landlords’ profit. But for landlords who already treat their investment seriously regardless of the size of their portfolio, the changes should be outweighed by the fact that the sector very much depends on their presence, not least of all in King'a Lynn and West Norfolk. 

The English Private Landlord Survey published by MHCLG last year reported that 93% of landlords let property as an individual or a group of individuals, compared with just 6% operated as part of a company. And despite the scale of building development around the local area, new build projects are very much focused on home ownership, rather than the growth of build-to-rent developments that tend to be focused on major cities around the UK. For West Norfolk, it’s clear that individual “amateur” landlords are the backbone to the private rented sector in the area. 

And the need isn’t going anywhere. Demand for privately rented property in the area is also a steadily growing market. In the 2021 Census 18.8% of households privately rented in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, a figure predicted to climb to 22% of households by 2036. Growing demand and a shrinking supply will only make it harder for tenants in a market where people are already struggling to find rented homes and the social housing sector is also overwhelmed. Fewer landlords / properties available to privately rent doesn’t equate to more home ownership opportunities in an area where the house price affordability ratio sits towards the higher end of an affordability gap. (Ratios of 8-12 suggest a larger gap between house prices and typical earnings. The Government’s Local Data Profile for King’s Lynn published in July 2025 showed the ratio for King’s Lynn to be 7.4.)

Individual Landlords Don’t Have to be Amateur Ones

The labelling of individual landlords as “amateur” is also misleading. Being an individual landlord, doesn’t translate to someone blindly staggering around, with no idead of their responsibilities. Most landlords invest with eyes wide open. With the pressures that exist on landlords financially, especially with changes to tax relief, the financial cost of increased safety and energy efficiency standards (over and above those applied to owner occupied homes) and increased mortgage rates, landlords have to be shrewd when it comes to their investment and switched onto their responsibilities.

However, individual landlords also offer a more human side to the private rented sector. They’re more likely to take their tenant’s position into account when negotiating a rent increase, for example, and many will maintain rents below market rate and only increase to market value when remarketing the property.

Individual landlords often want to do what’s right by their legal obligations and to consider their tenant’s preferences in making their property a home. They’re more likely to be attuned to the community and as long as their investment is sustainable and their life remains stable, they are eager to offer stability to their tenants. The challenge comes in keeping up with shifting goalposts, having accurate and consistent processes in place and maintaining an objective position should challenges arise. 

Without individual landlords, renters are faced with increased housing shortages, higher rents and a lack of choice, with the most vulnerable often forced into lower standard property.

Let Brittons Let for You

At Brittons Lettings we get it. Operating in the area as an independent agency since 1988 – the same year that the Housing Act was introduced – we’ve seen changes aplenty but recognise that the needs of tenants and landlords remain the same: to have stability and security. 

So we will give you an honest appraisal of your property that lets you know where you stand both within the market but also in the futureproofing of your investment. Our aim will be to find you reliable tenants who have the same respect for their home as you have for your property. With local experience combined with professional qualifications and the support of professional membership, we can help you maintain a fair and achievable rent and stay attuned to what’s happening both in the local market and in the wider lettings context to keep you able to make informed decisions away from headlines and hype. 

Our expertise is in working with individual landlords with property in the West Norfolk area. We know that there’s more than just a place for individual landlords in West Norfolk – without them there is no private rented sector. Our role is to guide those landlords to operate beyond an amateur status to the best position they can be in.

If that sounds like you, come and chat to us and let Brittons let for you.