Labour Proposals To Hurt Landlords

Government has angered the landlord community by unveiling plans to launch a website which allows tenants to post their views on landlords and their properties.

Goverment proposals for Private Rented Sector The National Landlords Association (NLA) says the proposals are unworkable, claiming that the site will require so much scrutiny and intense management it will be rendered ineffective. It also warns that tenants could make false claims about landlords which would be difficult to defend against.

This website is just one of a number of Government proposals issued as a follow up to the Rugg Review in 2009.

The Government Proposals

A new housing hotline offering free help and advice for private tenants
A review website for tenants that compares landlords
A requirement for written tenancy agreements for ALL tenancies (we agree with this!)
Boosting the number of tenants protected under the most common tenancy agreement
A national register of landlords to help tenants make basic checks on prospective landlords
Tighter regulation of letting and managing Agents

Housing Minister John Healey said "Every tenant should be confident in their decision to rent, as well as be clear what to expect before they sign on the dotted line."

NLA Chairman David Salusbury accused the Government of sending out mixed messages. He said" At the same time as having to provide more accommodation in order to plug the housing gap, landlords are now expected to be on a register, declare the addresses of their rental properties and also have feedback (whether true or false) posted about them on the internet!

Where is the incentive for landlords to develop their housing provision in today's proposals?"

The Government Minister also outlined proposals to give Councils the right to introduce licencing schemes without seeking permission from central Government in so-called 'hotspot' areas. Local authorities currently have to seek approval to introduce selective licencing schemes, which require all private landlords within the area to obtain a licence.

The council's can decide if the landlord is a 'fit and proper' person to manage their properties, impose conditions and standards on licences and charge landlords a fee at their discretion.

Rod's View

We don't like the Labour Government and hope that it will change in the upcoming election. These proposals contain some welcome and reasonable elements, but other parts of the proposals seem extremely negative from a landlords perspective.

Government has to maintain a fair balance between landlords and tenants, ensuring that the Private Rented Sector continues to thrive. As Government can't provide enough social housing, it's critical that Landlords continue to expand their portfolio's and make more property available for renting.

What you do think? I welcome your comments below.

Live with Abundance

Rod Thomas Property Expert

Rod Thomas FCA

Posted in UK Property News

1 responses to 'Labour Proposals To Hurt Landlords'

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Added 04-May-2010 09:27

As a part time landlord i wonder if the government wonders why there is a housing shortage when any new legislation is always in favour of the tenant. This is the problem with this government it encourages a nanny culture where those tenant who want to take a landlord for a ride get all the law on their side. ANd as afor a website of \"approved landlords\" can you imagine the upkeep required on a site like this due to date protection and all info having to be accurate and upto date. WOuld never happen.

THanks for the rant

Rod Thomas

Nice to know someone shares my views! Best wishes.

Labour Proposals To Hurt Landlords

Rod's View

1 responses to 'Labour Proposals To Hurt Landlords'

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