Connor McCann

Connor McCann has been an NLA Representative since August 2007. However, as a landlord of 8 years' standing, and with 17 years' experience in the property industry, he is well acquainted with the legislative issues arising in this area.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Connor also finds time to manage websites on property listings and property insurance.

Connor sees his brief as Representative to present a strong and unified voice on behalf of landlords, ensuring a balanced approach to policy-making. In light of the ongoing reshuffle of local bodies in Northern Ireland under the new devolved Parliament, Connor's most regular contact with policy-makers has been in Belfast, rather than at a regional level.

The NLA has strong relations with these government agencies, who often seek advice or a position on current issues from a landlord's perspective. Connor's broad industry experience and his role as a landlord mean that he has a finger on the pulse of what concerns landlords, and an understanding of legislative and other developments in the area of housing.

Recent trends in Northern Ireland are the influx of foreign nationals (particularly from new EU member states in Eastern Europe), coupled with greater demand from first-time buyers that have increased the need for rental accommodation. For Connor, this has made for a "healthy" private-rented sector: "I think we can be optimistic regarding the years to come - the extent of demand in letting currently makes for a secure return on investment." Connor is pleased to report few problems in his own experiences as a landlord:

"If everything is done properly, things tend to work out fine. Landlord-tenant relationships in Northern Ireland are generally very positive."