‘Greedy landlord’ stereotype is not true for all in private sector – some use power responsibly

The Private Rented Sector has a negative reputation of being insecure, unaffordable, and low quality. The growth and diversification of the PRS has encouraged some private landlords to adopt a more social and ethical role. Whilst profit-led or altruistic motivations are difficult to disentangle, and the sector has evolved in different ways in different places, a visible ‘ethics of care’ nonetheless challenges entrenched stereotypes of the ‘greedy’ landlord, who is more interested in property as an investment, rather than people’s home. We seek to highlight this emerging evidence base and bring more nuance to understandings of the PRS. At the same time, we also acknowledge constraints in encouraging more widespread adoption of this approach.