ACADEMICS from York are to carry out a major review into the private rented sector in the British property market.

The Government has launched the review to fully analyse the importance of the sector, and to look at the major issues facing landlords, tenants and the market as a whole.

Experts Julie Rugg and David Rhodes, of the Centre For Housing Policy at the University of York, will carry out the study.

Rental issues have been a cause for concern for York residents, with many fearing that certain sections of the city are being over-populated by students. A petition was signed by hundreds of residents, opposing the "studentification" people living around Heslington, Badger Hill and Fulford.

Dr Rugg said: "The review will be over about six months, so it will be quite intensive and we will be reporting to ministers.

"There is a high level of interest in the research and we will be reporting to the housing minister, then there will be a final published report in October."

Launching the review, outgoing housing minister Yvette Cooper said: "Most of us have rented a flat or house at some stage in our lives and the private rented sector is, at its best, a vital provider of good housing.

"But too few people are aware of their rights and responsibilities, either as tenants or landlords. We have seen a big increase in the private rented sector and particularly in buy-to-let. It is important we review the impact of this."

Ms Cooper has since been replaced by Caroline Flint, as part of a Government reshuffle following Peter Hain's resignation.

Dr Rugg, senior research fellow at the centre, said they would be speaking to numerous stakeholders, such as tenants, landlords and agents and addressing a range of questions about the sector.

She said the amount of council housing had declined, adding: "The view is that we can house more people with private landlords. We have to look at whether it's a good idea to do that, when people want to be in social housing.

"There are also issues around quality in the sector. There can be horrendous landlords out there, and some horrendous tenants - so do we need to regulate that better?"

She said other issues to address included how secure tenants felt, and what the impact was on communities when the private rented sector grew, as it had been doing of late.