"Landlords and tenants mutually depend on each other – reform of the sector must work for both"
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has called for an end to some of the divisive language that has developed around the Renters (Reform) Bill, saying that reform of the private rented sector must work for both landlords and tenants.
The landlord group, in an open letter to leading members of the Renters Reform Coalition, highlighted the importance of joint work between landlord and tenant groups where there are areas of agreement.
“Over recent years, debate about the future of the private rented sector has become increasingly polarised as a battle between the needs of tenants on the one hand and those of landlords on the other,” read part of the letter signed by Ben Beadle (pictured), chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association.
“We do not think this has to be the case and are concerned at some of the language which gives the impression that someone can be pro-landlord or pro-tenant, but not both. This is simply not true.”
Beadle emphasised that “landlords and tenants mutually depend on one another, and reform of the sector must work for both parties.”
He clarified that landlords also side with tenants on certain issues such as the tenants’ right to raise complaints about poor quality housing, councils having the needed resources to take enforcement action against rogue and criminal landlords, tenant access to proper legal support where possession cases end up in the courts, and the reversal of the unjust freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates, among others.
“However, alongside this, reform of the rental market needs to carry the confidence of responsible landlords,” Beadle said. “After all, greater security for tenants will not mean much if the homes to rent are not there in the first place. Rightmove, Zoopla and others all point to the demand for private rented housing already outstripping available supply.”
The NRLA chief pointed out that while there are issues on which landlords and tenants will not agree, it is important that groups representing them are able to find common ground where they can work together for the benefit of the sector.
“It is time to end the divisive rhetoric which is giving the wholly inaccurate impression that the majority of landlords cannot be trusted, but rather recognise that both parties need to work together to have a successful tenancy,” Beadle concluded.
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