A series of template letters have been drafted so that landlords can write to MPs about problems caused by the Renters Reform Bill.
The letters cover a range of problems created by the legislation, which is expected to have its Second Reading in the House of Commons with the next few days.
The templates, prepared by the National Residential Landlords Association, cover the Bill in general, student tenancies, tackling antisocial behaviour, court reform, Section 21 evictions, Local Housing Allowance, housing standards, and the taxation of landlords.
The templates can be edited to explain how the proposals will impact individual landlords and their businesses.
NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle says: “The NRLA works tirelessly to represent landlords at the very highest level in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, but individual landlords also have a role to play.
“Making direct contact with your local MP is a powerful lobbying tool, demonstrating to MPs that national issues are having a direct impact on their constituents, bolstering our campaigning and making us more likely to influence Government policy.
“It is critical that we demonstrate the need for change in certain parts of the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament.
“Our letters focus on some of the measures that must be implemented to sustain investment in the sector and without which the supply crisis in the PRS will inevitably worsen.”
Letters are accessible by members and non-members and can be downloaded and submitted directly to MPs by the NRLA’s online tool. To access the templates click here.
The NRLA is appealing to members to share any responses from MPs with the association.
Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.
/UKPolitics_Parliament-400x310.png)
.jpg)
%20(002).png)
.png)
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
Morning everyone, I hope you’re all enjoying this lovely summer we’re having at the moment.
I very rarely comment but I really wanted to voice this;
Every morning I read the articles we are sent by Landlord Today and each time I go through all of your comments, nearly every single one I feel me nodding my head at fantastic debates and comments by Andrew, Jo, Michael, George, Martin, Simon and Peter - you are all my favourites. You always strike a fair and interesting debate and I love to read these.
In my opinion there are 3 types of landlords these days;
The over 70’s - they bought these houses for buttons back in the day and now are making a tidy profit but with a house which (dare I say it) barely conforms with todays standards. They don’t want to spend a bean, move with the current time and technology and don’t really keep up to date with much of todays legislation. Sadly this is one of the reasons all this new stuff keeps getting dreamt up and brought in.
The over 45’s - mid 60’s - this is you guys. You understand how business works, are all very good business people yourselves, have moved with the new and imposed laws and regulations whilst keeping in line with modern day legislation and requirements. You are all more than happy to spend money where you see fit but get fed up with all the pointless red tape because others are either ignorant to it or just can’t be bothered.
The around 30’s - to 40’s - have invested a lot of money in buying at todays higher prices and at lower interest rates but are not too bothered about all of the above. This is mainly as it’s seen as a long term investment and “probably” have another (main) source of income for your daily lives. You are compliant but are not too bothered about the ever changing rules and regs as you guys probably have agents collecting rents and doing the running around whilst you earn the real money in a decent job.
The problem I see is that the NRLA are so slow at fighting our corner even if they agree with what we stipulate and debate about on a daily basis.
As we all know, Michael Gove is an incompetent fool who has nearly no idea how business (let alone private housing) policy works. If he had an ounce of knowledge, he’d be willing to speak to more people like you folk and make proper and decent decisions rather than just trying to turn the public and tenants against us landlords. Most landlords I’ve met over the years are smart and savvy business people who understand how this all fits together. Mr Gove could learn a whole heap of knowledge if he signed up to this news letter and then read each of your comments, like I do.
So, what I’m trying to put across is that I agree with nearly every one of you each morning but sadly so much of what you all type and try to put across mainly falls on deaf ears. As I said above, it’s the same names nearly every day and it’s so sad that none of this can be taken forward to local authorities and the like so they could do some decent bedtime reading for a change! Government and Councils are totally responsible for a huge percentage of the housing crisis we currently have, but instead are continually trying to pin this all on us lot for the errors they have made decade after decade. Us landlords have propped up the rental market for a long time now and no matter what we try and voice, it goes no where and we continue to get more and more frustrated and disheartened with all this.
I wish you all the very best of luck with whatever the future may hold of BTL whether you decide to sell up, keep what you have got or expand your portfolios.
Nice to know I'm one of someone's favourites. Thank you.
You're right that a great deal of what we say falls on deaf ears but it's useful throwing ideas around on this forum. Makes me feel less isolated and more confident about some of my thought processes.
I do a bit more than just bang on on here. Yesterday I responded to an HMO Article 4 expansion consultation being held by my Local Authority and suggested to 2 sets of HMO tenants in the existing Article 4 area they should also respond. One household did so immediately, so at least now the LA actually have a tenants perspective. They had been under the impression only students and very low income people lived in HMOs. Most of my HMO households are graduate professionals with each tenant earning around £30K to £45K. As my tenant pointed out on the consultation, by living in an HMO he can both save money for when he eventually wants to buy a house and more importantly spend money supporting local independent businesses.
Last Tuesday I attended the public information session regarding the above consultation and spent a couple of hours talking to the Council planning staff and local residents. I have quite strong feelings regarding Article 4 as I felt forced out of my much loved family home back in 2011 when the original Article 4 was introduced. Back then we lived very close to the university in a 5 bedroom house with a tiny garden and a long walk from a secondary school that was in Special measures. Not exactly somewhere families would be queuing to buy. We knew we would eventually want to downsize so decided to bail while we still could. It cost us £25K in estate agent fees, SDLT, legal fees, etc but at least my husband got his dream garage. Our current house is actually more convenient than the old one but we didn't know that at the time. The old house was snapped up by a landlord and has been a 6 bed HMO ever since.
The week before I was at a local residents meeting attended by my MP and had a lengthy chat with him about Section 24, Section 21, the Rental Reforms and Airbnb. Followed up with an email.
Thank you Daniel, you’re spot on, I am the mid group you describe but still work full time in my very early 60’s ( I love it as it’s an interesting and frankly fascinating job). I do agree though we do appear to be talking amongst ourselves 🫤…. At least we can get either validation of our views by similar people, or a different alternative, but either way I feel this train we are all on is heading for the buffers, and I don’t intend to be on it when it hits 🚂
I agree with most of what you say Daniel, i hit 70 very soon and have never liked wasting money which is why I carry out most repairs myself where I can, I also beleive by doing so I earn much respect from my tenants, I am happy to comply with rules where I can see the sense in them, however bull S... and red tape I don't do for anyone
Hi Daniel,
Just hit 50 and been renting properties for 24 years so I started relatively young. I did it to support my family and leave a legacy for them to either carry on with or sell them.
During this time it has been one thing after another, first stamp duty, S24, S21 and the worst of all Shelter, Acorn etc getting involved. I started renting to students which was difficult but profitable and then moved to families, I liked this as they are secure and stay for longer periods.
Now however everyone has got an issue or a problem which all of a sudden become my problems.
One thing I need to raise is where the hell was the government when I was 64k the wrong way round refurbishing a block of apartments? 30k upside down this year with tenants not paying? They still want to tax me if I sell the buildings and not recognise the investment made (this is only two examples).
While I am asking where people are....... Beadle where are you and why have you not emailed every member to fill out these forms lobbying MP's?? I can see student lets are the top point which he is involved in? Why they have the powerful student unions and most universities have dedicated student accommodation departments.
Appreciate the kind comments though.
Daniel Hanna, l agree with a lot of what you wrote but not the over 70s but. Those landlords did not buy properties for buttons, the price was the same as other properties, and very expensive to buy, pro rata. Further such landlords are targeted by crooks who look to pinch the property. Invariably the older landlord is semi retired and does a lot of maintenance themselves, they have more time and in reality maintenance costs are very expensive, especially with vat on top.
Edwin, you are quite right. I kinda got a bit carried away but with your comment following it up makes perfect sense :)
I agree with Edwin. Your slur on the over 70's spoiled an otherwise excellent post.
As a 73 year old I believe my peers fall into two main groups. Those like me are still very active and think we're still 40 whist the other group relies heavily on agents to deal with everything and are more sedentary in all respects but I don't think either group is bad for the prs and to blame for the raft of legislation and vile being heaped upon landlords by the enemies of all decent tenants and landlords.
Interpersonal ageism refers to the ways in which ageism seeps through social interactions to impact relationships and day-to-day interactions. Interpersonal ageism can include the use of age to devalue someone, to denigrate their dignity or capacity, or to patronize them.
Mr Ben Beadle, so you work tirelessly to be support Landlords.
Where’s the NRLA support and Petition to Reverse this Property Confiscation Bill / Order.
Yes that’s what it is plain & simple we are being exploited, controlled and limited by Parliament as to how we run our Business.
We are past The White Paper stage apparently it is now progressing rapidly to the New Brown Envelope Tenant Stage, which will be the only option available to get your own property back following the abolition of all Legal means.
We have had all this before Prior to The 1988 Housing Act which is now being abolished not withstanding it’s been well weakened down the years especially by Shelter with the 2015 De-Regulation Act, having failed with Sarah Tether’s Private Members Bill.
Ben Petition now Please and stop messing around with special concessions for Students, we house everyone discrimination won’t work one Law for one and another for others, if you are tired take a rest.
Daniel, my friend I don’t know what category I fit into.
I was a Tenant in my teens, a Tenant in my twenties, a landlord in my thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and seventies.
Thanks you for your comment and your kind words.
Surely not suggesting I lobby my MP.
I have emailed a photograph of 16 replies on House of Commons envelopes, replies from MP’s.
To landlord Today they are welcome to publish as I wasn’t able to attach.
Watch out, Beadle's about !
He's about George but not where he should be...
But he's not doing anything other than look after his own interests.
Dear All,
Just received this from Land Registry, we pay increasing taxes and get less services. Below shows that despite slowing house sales the service for registering a request for land or property goes from 36 hours to 90 days...!!!! WTF is happening to the country.! I do actually know! They are all working from home and preparing for the new World Record on Peleton!!! Good Luck Team GB Civil Service
Hello Peter
We wanted to let you know that we have updated the terms of use for our Search for land and property information service.
What's changing from 26 June 2023:
For purchases made after 7am on 26 June 2023, the time you will be able to access your documents will increase from 36 hours to 90 days. You can view or download the information within this time. After 90 days, you'll need to buy another copy if you need it.
When you sign into your account, you will be able to access and edit your account details, such as your name, postal address and telephone number.
Peter
I am between tenants in one property and had my customary visit to the dump acting as an unpaid recycling and landfill depositer for the outgoing tenants.
I noticed THREE exercise bikes in the metal skip. Does this mean 3 of our public servants are now going back to work?
Hilarious Robert
No Robert. Personal exercise was too much hard work for them. So they sent their bikes to the dump so they can have more space to lounge around watching This Morning and Home Under the Hammer.
I think the NRLA are a bit late in their attempt at having the government reconsider anything that is in this white paper. In my view, It’s more or less done and dusted. I also don’t believe that the NRLA are actually acting in the best interest of or even listening to their members concerns. Why is that, I ask myself!
Absolutely right John, they've just taken a leaf out of the Government text book and wish to appear to be doing something.
If they were serious they would have been shouting from the roof tops that the increase in rents was mainly caused by Government policies and then demonstrate how this occurred.
They should also have been doing some positive PR and showing that most private tenants get on with their Landlords.
Dear All,
Update for you regarding this topic to NRLA....
Hello NRLA,
I sent an email last week asking for Ben Beadle to directly address every member over the Rent Reform bill and especially the removal of S21. I understand there is a push to lobby our individual MP's but where is the email to every member???
Regards
Peter
Robert, the ones that are 40 think they are 70, totally inexperienced and in charge of the Country making a mess.
Michael
Fortunately the active 70 year olds will live longer than the indolent 40 year olds!
Agree with you both.
In terms of health, research, not surprisingly, indicates that sitting down all the time results in an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
The association between sitting and all-cause mortality appears relatively consistent across women and men, age groups, BMI categories, and physical activity levels and across healthy participants compared with those with preexisting cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus.
Also, middle aged and older adults, including those with cardiovascular disease and cancer, can gain substantial longevity benefits by becoming more physically active, irrespective of past physical activity levels and established risk factors (Physical activity trajectories and mortality: population based cohort study)
Physically active older adults (≥60 years) are at a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, breast and prostate cancer, fractures, recurrent falls, ADL disability (disability associated with ageing) and functional limitation and cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. They also experience healthier ageing trajectories, better quality of life and improved cognitive functioning (Consequences of physical inactivity in older adults: A systematic review of reviews and meta-analyses).
Just one additional point about physical activity in the over seventies - from my own observations of elderly relatives. You have to be careful not to do anything to an extreme. Physical activity is great, but not really overdoing it - that can be dangerous when you are older.
John Chart weighs in
My wife and I are in our late 70s and most of our stock was acquired in the period 1995 - 2016,when I was 51 - 72. We rely heavily on local agents who perform well and diligently for us, and we react positively to repair issues. So I am not convinced that we fit well with the DH expressed stereotypes.
Daniel H, Thatcher dumped council housing on the grounds that the rent was less than the maintenance costs. That can apply to the PRS unless you do a lot of the work yourself. For instance, a very good mature, gas technician serviced three appliances and have a gas certificate. One hour £90, l have him a bank transfer for £100, although expensive great job. I've found myself on my knees, and on top of ladders furiously trying hard to unclog drains and downspouts, one slip and you can be crippled. How much an hour ? Too little, £5 an hour or £1 an hour or even a loss.
Entirely agree Edwin.
I used to do all the maintenance myself, but now I pay for someone to do it and claim against my tax bill.
I have a farm which takes up most of my time, 7 days a week through the summer and I am nearing 70, so I don't want the extra work.
I will be selling all my rental properties, as soon as they become empty.
I have some commercial properties, which I will be keeping for now.
John H
You've still got to supervise repairs and tradesmen doing short term work are expensive, frankly unless you do most maintenance yourself it's uneconomic. Supermarket bosses and energy co. Bosses pay themselves big money but want cheap food and l keep reading stories of Farmers taking risks to cut costs. On Monday l saw a farmer or sub contractor with a tractor fire whilst cutting haylage. Fire brigade weren't to quick and it looked a total loss. That's all his profit and more gone.
I used to do my own repairs but am now on enforced rest, stroke and then a hart attack, my car keys have been hidden
I'm so sorry to hear that Andrew! I do hope you make an excellent recovery.
I had a quadruple heart bypass operation eleven years ago. Follow your doctors orders. All the best Andrew.
Thank you Ellie and John, I'm doing fine now but looks like I need a bypass and valve repair in the near future
So glad to hear that you are doing well Andrew.
My father had a triple bypass and lived to be 90. He would have lived longer if he hadn't suddenly got ill - probably Covid, but was not diagnosed with that. He was still active and managing the property himself.
They could also remove the plaques from your carotid arteries (the arteries in your neck) if that were deemed appropriate to prevent another stroke. However, you don't want everything done at once - too much for you.
Probably rest and not worrying about anything at all is the best treatment at the moment.
One other little point, Andrew, be careful about having surgery if you have been given a high dose of anti-coagulants after the heart attack and stroke. Might be better to wait for the levels of the anti-coagulants to drop a bit.
My father lost a lot of blood during his surgery for that reason - had the bypass very soon after a heart attack.
Andrew, if you want a chat at any time about my experience you can send me an email at johnhal at btinternet dot com
that's very kind of you John thankyou
John Chart observes:
Good to see that a landlords' forum is being used also as a medical advice forum.
Heartening to witness positive concern and help for others in the "club"
Apart from "club" members and family, I cannot discern any concern for embattled landlords
emanating from any other quarter!
Andrew. So sorry to hear I missed that post, get well soon don’t worry about the houses or any of those stupid nonsense Regulation’s that’s going on, those people are rubbish not fit to lick our boots just parasites.
Andrew - sorry to hear you have not been well. Glad to hear you are doing better.
Please login to comment