Chestertons says parlous state of short-lets market for landlords and hosts has forced many back to the PRS.

Agents and landlords will have to be extra careful to ensure a rental property is licensed or risk having to repay thousands in rent.

Preet-kaur Johal was only discovered at the last moment when the landlord turned up at the property unexpectedly.

Surprising comments are made to researchers conducting a survey of the private rental market for letting software company Goodlord.

The phenomenon is most acute in London where the stay-cation holiday, foreign tourist and corporate short-lets markets are vastly reduced in volume.

Figures from letting-agent comparison site Rentround show 21% increase in landlord searches for agents.

‘Armchair’ landlords with student property portfolios face double whammy as universities go online and tenancy law changes.