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News release

Legal challenge to NLA/NFRL merger fails

22 May 2009

The National Landlords Association (NLA), the leading representative body for private residential landlords, has welcomed a decision by the High Court dismissing legal challenges to the NLA/NFRL merger.

In July 2008, the NLA and NFRL (National Federation of Residential Landlords) merged to form the largest landlord association in the UK. The merger was welcomed across the industry as an important step towards a unified voice for landlords at the national level.

Shortly after the merger was announced, 11 members of the former NFRL started legal proceedings against the NLA and the majority NFRL directors who were in favour of the merger. For nine months, the NLA has been compelled to adhere to a number of strict High Court undertakings which have prevented it from effectively representing and assisting landlords who were members of the former NFRL.

On Thursday 21 May, His Honour Judge Pelling QC dismissed the legal challenges to the merger. He also ordered those who brought the action to pay the NLA’s costs.

David Salusbury, Chairman, NLA, commenting on the judgment, said:

“It is a relief that this episode is now over. The NLA remains wholeheartedly committed to the concept of a unified voice for landlords and we never believed that costly litigation would be in the best interests of members or of the private-rented sector.

“If there are members of the former NFRL who were waiting for the outcome of the legal challenges before deciding what to do, we now look forward to welcoming them on board and helping to support them in their lettings business. It is now time to focus all of our energies on the serious matters facing all landlords, not least Government proposals to introduce a national register of landlords.”

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

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.