National Landlords Association

Sir Bob Kerslake, Head of the Civil Service. and Permanent Secretary of DCLG Commented at the launch of the Kent Forum Housing Strategy in May 2011 that

Kent is Ahead of the Game.

This is demonstrated by the investment in the infrastructure evidenced by the High Speed rail links to London and the continent, airports and cruise terminals together with a 4 billion investment in Wind farms.

Whilst this has meant increasing jobs a recent survey has shown that house prices are 14 times the average local salary. This has led to an exceptionally buoyant lettings market from professional workers and European immigrants alike.

The market for tenants on Housing Benefit is robust and in some areas there has been a gradual upwards creep over the last few months with LHA rates set at the 30th percentile beginning to match last years rates set at the 50th percentile.

There are 4 universities with 32,000 students which has led to strong demand for student accommodation. Some student towns experienced an acute shortage of accommodation this autumn but this trend is difficult to forecast with the Universities investing in their own accommodation, the forthcoming rise in student fees together with the introduction of Article 4 directions in Canterbury.