NLA comments on London Assembly Investigation into Private Housing

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has commented on the London Assembly Investigation* into private-rented housing, published today.

The investigation, by the London Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee, was to assess the state of London’s private-rented sector and opportunities for its improvement.

The NLA provided evidence to the committee from the landlord’s perspective.

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the NLA, commented:

“This report highlights the key role the private-rented sector plays in the provision of housing in the London. We were delighted to contribute our evidence on behalf of landlords to the Committee’s investigation.

“We encourage the Mayor and policy makers to adopt the Committee’s approach towards the private-rented sector. There needs to be a clear synergy between encouraging robust and proactive enforcement action to tackle criminal operators, while supporting the majority of landlords to professionalise and observe best practice.

“We are pleased that the Greater London Assembly has recognised the importance of accrediting landlords as a way of raising standards within the sector and look forward to continuing to work with the GLA and local authorities to promote the benefits of becoming accredited.

“We also welcome the fact that the Committee recognises that tax should be part of the solution to encourage investment in the sector, recognising landlords in a similar way to other small or medium sized businesses.”

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Dane Svenson, Press Officer, NLA
dane.svenson@landlords.org.uk
0207 840 8906


*The London Assembly’s recommendations include:

• The Mayor, in conjunction with London boroughs and the private rented sector, developing a ‘kitemark’ for    London’s private rented housing in the form of an ‘accreditation badge’

• The Government exploring the viability for tax incentives to private landlords to encourage increased investment in property standards and longer tenancy models

• A greater emphasis for the sector in the Mayor’s Housing Strategy, with the Mayor identifying how he will work with the sector and London boroughs.

The report also identifies the need for over £1bn of investment in the sector to increase property standards across London.

To access the full report, please visit: http://london.gov.uk/press_releases/london-assembly


NOTES TO EDITORS:
The National Landlords Association (NLA) is the UK’s leading organisation for private-residential landlords. It has over 20,000 paid-up members, ranging from full-time landlords with large property portfolios to those with just a single letting. NLA membership helps landlords make a success of their lettings business by providing a wide range of information, advice and services. The NLA campaigns for the legitimate interests of landlords by seeking to influence decision-makers at all levels of government and by making landlords’ collective voice heard in the media. It seeks to raise standards in the private-rented sector while aiming to ensure that landlords are aware of their statutory rights and responsibilities. Based at its head office in Central London, the NLA currently employs over 40 full-time staff and has a network of more than 40 regional representatives and branches throughout the UK.