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News release

Government Minister: "No sense over-burdening good landlords with further regulation"

01 Dec 2008

Speaking at the first NLA National Conference, held in Birmingham on Saturday 29 November, Iain Wright MP, minister with responsibility for the private-rented sector, said the Government was committed to not bringing forward knee-jerk legislation that would hamper the growth of the sector but, instead would target the rogue operators which give responsible landlords a bad name.

In a thought-provoking speech to landlord delegates, the Minister said the private-rented sector had become a "great tool to help house the people of this country" and that he wanted to see the sector "not just survive over the coming months and years but thrive."

Dr Julie Rugg, co-author of the recently published independent review of the private-rented sector, spoke about the need for landlords to view what they do as a business and not purely as an investment vehicle. She reaffirmed how little evidence had been presented to support the view that retaliatory eviction was widespread and that ‘studentification' had become a major national problem.

David Salusbury, Chairman, NLA, speaking at the end of the NLA National Conference, said:

"The success of the NLA's first conference has demonstrated that constructive dialogue is the only way forward for the private-rented sector. The ‘trench warfare', which has so often marked discussions between decision-makers and landlords, is now behind us.

"The Minister has re-affirmed what the NLA has known for years: the people who suffer the most from burdensome regulation are reputable landlords. The rogue operators will usually avoid being noticed; what we must now do is ensure they are not allowed to drop further under the radar."

Other speakers at the one day event included Richard Dyson (The Mail on Sunday), Andrew Heywood (Council of Mortgage Lenders), Prof. Tony Crook (University of Sheffield) and Mary Latham (NLA Regional Representative for the Midlands).

Any media enquiries to:
Steven Hilton
Media Relations Manager, NLA
Email:
Tel: 020 7840 8906
Mob: 07508 031 084

Notes to Editors:
The National Landlords Association (NLA) exists to protect and promote the interests of private residential landlords. With almost 19,000 individual landlords from around the United Kingdom and over 90 local authority associates, it provides a comprehensive range of benefits and services to its members and strives to raise standards in rented accommodation. The NLA seeks to safeguard landlords’ legitimate interests by making their collective voice heard by local and central government and the media. The NLA seeks a fair legislative and regulatory environment for the private-rented sector while aiming to ensure that landlords are aware of their statutory rights and responsibilities.