The launch of a new online crime map to highlight areas of antisocial behaviour in the UK could have a damaging impact on landlords in the buy-to-let sector, warns Landlord Assist.

Launched by the Home Office, the online tool at www.police.uk will enable potential tenants to check postcode areas to find out how many incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour have been reported in the vicinity.

However some landlords may start to struggle to let properties in areas which have higher levels of crime, as tenants are likely to check out the risk of crime in the neighbourhood before they sign up to a tenancy agreement.

Graham Kinnear, MD at Landlord Assist says this could lead to a downward pressure on rents in such areas and poses a significant threat to landlords’ portfolios as properties in higher areas of crime could experience longer vacancy periods.

“The new crime map could create a growing disparity between the demand for properties in areas with low levels of crime and those deemed potential crime hotspots,” said Kinnear.

“Whilst landlords in areas of low crime could see overwhelming demand, landlords may start to struggle to let their properties in areas which have higher levels of crime and this will force rents down regardless of the condition of the property.

“Landlords with empty properties may also see their void periods last even longer and this could impact them financially.”