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News & Campaigns
Campaign Update - January 2012
A belated Happy New Year and welcome to the first NLA Campaign Update of 2012.
Unlike previous years we do not greet 2012 with the usual trepidation associated with forthcoming legislation, part of this is due to the fact that the Coalition opted to extend the current parliamentary session and consequently did not kick off a new round of legislation with a Queen’s Speech towards the end of last year. Although this does mean that the 2011 agenda continues unabated into the New Year.
Continuing with the themes of 2011, we can expect the next few months to see the culmination of the Welfare Reform Bill’s passage through Parliament and implementation of the mammoth Localism Act. With a little luck there should be just enough time to take care of these legislative hangovers before the Government announces what it has in store for the next session. The current rumour is that the State Opening of Parliament (Queen’s Speech) will take place on, or around, 9 May although it is still too early to say what announcements to expect.
Another date for the diary in coming months is 21 March, when George Osborne will take to the Dispatch Box once again to deliver his Budget Statement. The NLA is currently talking with the Treasury about a number of pressing issues, not least the spectre of European restrictions on Buy-to-Let lenders. However the main thrust of the NLA’s budget submission will be the much needed reform of Capital Gains Tax to recognise the inherent differences between long-term investment in rental property and short term speculative trading.
Council Tax Consultation Closed
As featured in previous editions of Campaign Update the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consulted towards the end of last year on proposals to change ‘technical’ aspects of Council Tax administration. These proposals focused predominantly on the treatment of various types of empty property, some relevant to private landlords and some not.
This being, a topic very close to many landlords hearts (and wallets) a number of members responded to our call to action and responded to the Government’s call for views - for which the NLA is very grateful.
Based on member feedback the NLA also submitted a formal response to the consultation, which may be downloaded from the Council Tax page of this website. Council Tax
NLA Landlord Survey Goes from Strength to Strength
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to take part in the NLA Quarterly Survey in December. We are only too aware of how busy private landlords are and that you no-doubt have any number of things more pressing to do than complete our periodic survey requests, which makes the data we are able to glean from this research even more valuable to us.
The results of the last Quarter of 2011 are still being analysed, but a summary will be available for members online shortly.
In the meantime the preliminary findings look likely to suggest that overall market confidence dipped towards the end of the year, despite 21 per cent of landlords suggesting that they plan to expand their portfolios in the first six months of 2012.
Despite the gloomy outlook, the incidence of voids also appear to be reducing with 39 percent of landlords reporting a recent void period and just over one third of landlords believe that they will increase their rents (for at least some of their property) in the next six months.
For those who have not taken part previously and would like to be included in future surveys (there are currently four per year) please email policy@landlords.org.uk including the word ‘Survey’ in the subject.
This month will see the extension of a Cabinet Office initiative to cut the amount of legislation on the statute books. Originally intended to launch before Christmas, but delayed as a result of the Housing Strategy, Housing policy will take the spotlight in the ‘Red Tape Challenge’.
For a short period visitors to the website: 'Red Tape Challenge' will be able to suggest the removal of any relevant item of legislation, regulation or red tape currently in force in the housing sector. Any suggestion is welcome, but in order to be taken seriously as part of the review it should be justified and represent a genuinely superfluous piece of bureaucracy.
The consultation on various aspects of the forthcoming Green Deal closes on 18 January. The NLA is busy prioritising its formal submission in relation to this important programme of efficiency measures and will publish our response online shortly. For more information, and to read the final submission once published, please visit the Green Deal page of this website: Green Deal.
Although most utterances of London and 2012 in the same breath are probably referring to the Olympic spectacular scheduled for this summer those with property in the Capital should bear in mind the Mayoral race, which will reach its natural conclusion on the virtual eve of the Games.
The PRS is rarely a hot topic for Mayoral candidates in London, probably due to the limited powers and responsibilities the post-holder has in respect of private property. However, with housing in high demand, rents on the increase and empty homes becoming an ever more visible issue it cannot be ignored by the parties vying for London’s highest elected position.
The most vocal of the leading contenders is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Ken Livingstone who has courted controversy by implying the need for greater control over private rents. Although no firm policy proposals have been offered.
As you would expect any suggestion of artificial intervention in market rents is a concern for the NLA, which is working with advisors to all of the main party’s candidates on ensuring that landlords are not disadvantaged by future mayoral policies. Look out for more information and comment from the candidates themselves in future editions of UK Landlord.
Cold Comfort as Welfare Reforms Start to Cut this Winter
As many landlords will be only too aware, the transitional protections in place to ease the reduction in LHA rates are now coming to an end.
Furthermore, the changes to the Single Accommodation Rate (formerly Single Room Rate) were introduced from 1 January increasing the threshold for access to the one bedroom rate from 25 to 35 years old. According to the Government’s own estimate this will increase demand for new units of shared accommodation by more than 60,000 as those between 25 and 35 who previously qualified for self contained accommodation are forced to find new homes. For more information about these changes and welfare reform generally please visit: LHA
About Chris Norris
Chris Norris joined the NLA in April 2007. As Head of Policy he is responsible for delivery of the NLA's policy and public affairs agenda and public policy research programme.
Before joining the NLA Chris was responsible for parliamentary affairs for the National Childbirth Trust, the UK's largest campaigning charity for parents, which represents more than 100,000 members. Prior to this he held various public affairs and communications roles within the NHS and the private sector.
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