An attitudes survey reveals how people feel about rental accommodation and the housing market in Reading.

According to Reading Borough Council data, nearly 40 per cent of all homes in the town are privately rented, with more than 3,000 of these being homes of multiple occupation (HMOs).

Acting on a condition investigation which demonstrated 37 per cent of HMOs are likely to have serious hazards in them, the council held a survey into how people feel.

The results of the survey have been published following a consultation into a broader landlord licensing scheme held by the council.

Currently, a landlord requires a licence only when a HMO has five people or more living in it.

But the Labour administration at the council has sought to change that, requiring all HMO landlords to possess a licence in the borough.

READ MORE: Controls on buy-to-let landlords and increase in landlord licensing proposed

Also, the council wants to require all landlords in the Battle, Redlands and Park wards of the borough to be licensed regardless of the amount of people in them.

This is called a selective licensing scheme.

The consultation received 287 responses. Of those, 125 were landlords, 70 were owner-occupiers, and 54 were tenants.

Additionally, five letting agents, four managing agents and 29 other people took part in the survey.

A majority of respondents opposed the selective licensing scheme, with a total of 136 people disagreeing with it.

Meanwhile, a total of 114 people agreed with the change.

On the condition of homes, 67 people disagreed with the statement that HMO properties are in good repair, with 47 people agreeing with it.

There was slightly more satisfaction in the rental sector, with 65 people disagreeing that homes are in good repair and 73 people agreeing.

READ MORE: Plan to put controls on landlords who own multiple flats in Reading

The survey results are featured in a report by Stuart Taylor, the council's principal environmental health officer.

Mr Taylor wrote: "Respondents have expressed a range of views on the proposed selective licensing scheme.

"A common concern is that the scheme could lead to increased costs for landlords, which may be passed on to tenants in the form of higher rents.

"The survey showed concerns about this from a small number of tenants as well as from a larger number of landlords.

"Concerns were raised about the potential for landlords to operate 'under the radar' and avoid compliance. Respondents also questioned the council's ability to enforce and process the licenses effectively.

READ MORE: Call for controls on flats plagued by rubbish issues, hazards and disrepair

"Some respondents feel that the scheme could lead to a reduction in available rental properties while others support the idea of licensing to improve living standards and hold landlords accountable.

"Overall, there is a clear divide between those who believe the scheme could improve housing conditions and those who see it as an unnecessary burden that could have negative consequences for both landlords and tenants."

Enforcement action can involve fines and revocation of a licence, effectively bringing management of the house under the council's control.

The survey results were presented to the council's housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee on Wednesday, November 13.