Rental reform: Our five key asks

A fundamental shift in the Government’s attitude to private landlords is needed if its rental reform plans are to work.

Following the publication of the Government’s long-awaited white paper on rental reform, the NRLA has identified five major areas of concern, and in the coming weeks will be campaigning for change at the highest level.

It will argue ministers need to support landlords to remain in the sector and continue to invest at a time when demand for rental home is hitting record highs. It has also identified potential issues with the plans that could deem them unworkable in practice.

The association, which has been invited to a ministerial round table to discuss the proposals, will be asking ministers to:

• End the anti-landlord rhetoric and back the majority of landlords providing good quality home to rent
• Address issues that will arise in the student market as a result of plans to introduce indefinite tenancies
• Come up with firm principles as to how councils and police can support landlords to tackle anti-social tenants quickly and effectively
• Reform the courts BEFORE Section 21 powers are removed to tackle lengthy waits for possession
• Abolish local licensing once the new property portal is introduced

The association believes that unless these issues are resolved now - while proposed legislation is still under development - they could lead to major problems in the future.

NRLA director of policy and campaigns Chris Norris said: ‘While the white paper itself recognises the vast majority of landlords are providing good quality homes to rent, the language used in its announcement of the plans was divisive and unhelpful, pitting landlords and tenants against each other.

“The white paper outlines plans for the biggest changes to the private rented sector in more than 30 years, and the Government needs to support landlords through these, by addressing potential sticking points early on.

“Without this it risks discouraging investment, at a time when demand for rental homes is at a record high, worsening the supply crisis and inevitably pushing up rents.”

The NRLA will be taking a deep dive into the issues over the coming weeks and be running a series on information events for members. It will also be asking landlords to get involved by writing to their MPs to highlight concerns.

More information

• To read more about the NRLA response to the rental reform white paper click here
• To listen the NRLA’s latest podcast Listen Up Landlords, which focuses on the issues identified within the white paper click here.