Only 11% of landlords could correctly name Matthew Pennycook as minister of state for housing and planning, according to a new Landbay survey.
Pennycook has been in the role since Labour’s general election win in July 2024.
The survey, carried out in May, revealed widespread confusion among landlords with some mistakenly identifying Angela Rayner among others in the role.
Landlords defended their confusion and spoke about how many housing ministers had been in the role in recent years.
Pennycook is the 17th housing minister since 2010 with the role changing 16 times during the Conservative’s 14 years in office.
At a cabinet level, the housing secretary role has seen a similar churn with new appointment Steve Reed serving as the 12th since 2010 and the second of this latest Labour government.
“Given the fact that landlords have had to contend with a revolving door of housing ministers for more than decade, it should come as no surprise to see them struggling to keep track of who currently holds the post,” said Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay.
“One way for ministers to fix this issue is to actively engage with the landlord community, understand their challenges and recognise the vital role they play in propping up the housing market and providing housing for one in five households in England and Wales.
“Instead, they continue to test the incredible resilience of landlords with unhelpful rhetoric and one-sided legislation.”
