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The Housing Act, one year on

Message from the NLA Chairman, David Salusbury
from "UK Landlord" magazine, May 2007

The Housing Act 2004 came into force in England and Wales in April 2006. David Salusbury, Chairman of the NLA, gives his views on the impact the new rules have had so far on the private-rented sector.

UK Landlord: One of the key changes introduced by the Act was the new definition it included of a House in Multiple Occupation, and a mandatory national licensing scheme for HMOs. Do you agree with critics who say these changes are damaging the HMO market, and driving good landlords from the sector?

David Salusbury: Good landlords will not be driven from the sector. Most landlords are already complying with the rules, and many have effectively been passported into the new licensing system since they were already in compliance with the registration schemes which it replaced.