Home > Information > NLA Index

UK Landlord magazine

May 2008

• see the full contents for this issue

Editorial

One of my tenants recently gave me notice ending her tenancy. She's been renting one of my properties for 2 years now and has met a man and they are looking for a larger flat to rent together in London. She tells me now is a good time to be a tenant because there is a lot of good quality, reasonably-priced accommodation around for rent. I am pleased for her and it seems to me it is also a good time to be a landlord. I found a new tenant for the property within 3 days of advertising it online, and increased the rent by around 14 per cent in line with its rental market value. In this current economic climate, it is reassuring to see that the private-rented sector can function well and at the same time serve an important role in meeting the ever-increasing demand for good quality rental accommodation.

This issue of UK Landlord provides plenty of examples of the opportunities available to landlords. David Salusbury, the NLA's Chairman, outlines the very focussed activities and pro-active approach the NLA takes to support its members and their rental investments. The NLA has developed a unique mortgage-finding service, designed specifically for landlords and property investors, to do their own research on what mortgages are available for their property investment activities. I appreciate the fact that the NLA is not looking to generate income through commissions from lenders. Instead, it will offer NLA members a rebate of at least 0.25 per cent of the loan value to be advanced so that this helps members offset their costs of obtaining a mortgage.

Expect more of these types of benefits and services to come your way.
Anthony Lock, who takes particular responsibility for developing member services for the NLA as a Board Director, is brimming with entrepreneurial ideas for improving and expanding on benefits to members and in this issue he sets out how the NLA identifies products and services that the majority of its members need.

mydeposits, the NLA-sponsored tenancy deposit scheme (which used to be called Tenancy Deposits Solutions Ltd), has proved successful in its first year of operations in protecting thousands of deposits. There have been a small number of complaints, and an even smaller number went for adjudication. Ian Langley of HFIS, which administers the scheme, explains what happens in practical terms if landlords are in disagreement with tenants over the return of the deposit.

And finally, this issue of UK Landlord marks the role that women play in making the private-rented property sector a success. We talk to the Property Woman of the Year and find out from other female landlords the type of approach and tools needed to successfully run a rentals business.

Andy Stern, Editor
Email:

• see the full contents for this issue

Rugg Review:
The Independent Review of the Private Rented Sector has been published. See how it affects you.

What's new?
• Scottish landlords face huge fines over EPCs
• NLA review of 2008
• Iain Wright’s speech to the NLA National Conference
• A match made in heaven?
• 71% of landlords expecting increase in rental arrears
• NLA: buy-to-let landlords not covered by payment holiday plan