NLA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO SAVE SHARED HOUSING IN NEWCASTLE

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has launched a campaign against controversial new regulations planned for Newcastle, which could severely limit affordable housing in the City.

 Newcastle City Council is proposing new regulations which would require planning permission for all new Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) – homes shared by three or more people.  The changes would make it extremely difficult for landlords to offer shared homes for rent.

 The NLA argues it would have a devastating effect on the amount of shared housing available in the Newcastle area and lead to a decline in the supply of good quality affordable accommodation, on which young professionals, those on low incomes and students rely.

 The NLA is calling on landlords and tenants in Newcastle to join a campaign to oppose this proposal, by sending an e-letter to their local MP through the NLA website.

 David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, said:

 “Like many other cities across the country, Newcastle has a lack of good-quality affordable housing.  These latest proposals by the City Council will only reduce supply still further.

 Many young professionals struggling to get on the property ladder, students at Newcastle’s universities and people on low income rely on rented accommodation.  These proposed changes will make it harder for them to find a home.

 We are calling on landlords and tenants in Newcastle to oppose these changes by joining our web-based campaign, and lobbying their local MP to abandon these regulations.”

 Bruce Haagensen, local resident, landlord and the NLA’s Representative for Tyne and Wear said:

 “The extra red tape that Newcastle City Council wants to impose on landlords will make it extremely difficult for us to provide more homes for those who need them.

 With rising interest rates and government cuts to housing benefits, the last thing the people of Newcastle need is fewer affordable homes.

 I urge local landlords and tenants to attend an information session being run by the NLA on Monday, 28 February to find out how the changes would affect them and how they can support our campaign.”

 The NLA meeting has been arranged at the Newcastle Civic Centre at 2pm on Monday 28 February. Representatives from the Newcastle City Council will be available to take questions.

 Click here to join the campaign 

 -ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

 Dane Svenson

Press Officer, NLA

020 7840 8925

07508 031 084

dane.svenson@landlords.org.uk

 NOTES TO EDITORS

Representing landlords from all over the UK, the National Landlords Association (NLA) is the leading organisation for private-residential landlords. It 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. The NLA helps landlords make a success of their lettings business by providing a wide range of information, advice and services. It seeks to raise standards in the private-rented sector while aiming to ensure that landlords are aware of their statutory rights and responsibilities.