Landlords' businesses could be affected by mortgage firms changing the terms of their lending policies, according to a group that acts in the interests of the UK's private rented sector.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) said that some companies have requested large repayments and set more expensive interest rates, which could be bad for the sector.

Alan Ward, chairman of the RLA, said: "Altering the terms of a contract by amending the valuation to suit the lender's objectives is grossly unfair to landlords."

He called on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to condemn the lenders which produce "bespoke valuations" for their own good.

Both "the viability of the landlord's businesses" and the tenant's security are put under risk by such action, Mr Ward added.

Property Hawk website editor Chris Horne recently claimed that a high number of landlords have found it difficult to find mortgage finance in the current economic climate.

Landlords with a number of properties may benefit from using safe storage facilities - it could provide them with somewhere to keep any spare furniture and tools.

Written by Graeme Pieterson