UKALA

Landlords and agents are two sides of the same coin.

• Landlords represent the client base for letting agents and yet they have separate representative bodies each pursuing their legitimate interests;
• They do so without being obliged to take into account the interests of the other side of the coin, although each claims, with justification, to strive for higher standards;
• They operate in the same industry and are obliged to conduct their business within the same legislative and regulatory framework;
• A healthy private-rented sector is a prerequisite for success in either field.

On the 6th October 2010, the National Landlords Association (NLA) announced it was to join forces with the UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA).

The proposed business agreement represents a ground-breaking development within the private-rented sector.

• UKALA would benefit from the NLA’s track record of success in promoting awareness of the private-rented sector. Members would enjoy access to benefits which would probably save them money and help them in making a success of their lettings businesses.
• The NLA would have an opportunity to widen its horizons and expand.  Overall, bringing the two bodies together would create an organization which could become an important voice for the private-rented sector.

UKALA members unanimously voted in favour of the proposal at the UKALA AGM on 5^th October 2010.

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, commented:

"This is an excellent opportunity to create a more unified voice for landlords, tenants and letting agents across the private-rented sector and this mutually beneficial business agreement will benefit both as we strive for higher standards of practice."

John Peartree, Chief Executive, UKALA, said:

"We are delighted to join the UK’s largest landlord organisation and look forward to working with the NLA for a better private-rented sector. UKALA members will now have access to a range of NLA services such as rent guarantee insurance and tenant checks."

Under the agreement, NLA assumed responsibility for management of UKALA and provide advice and information to its member agents.