Property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant

Property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant

10:34 AM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago 39

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The NRLA are calling for new property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant and tenants identify decent and safe housing.

Under plans devised by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), such passports would certify that a property met all legal standards. It would list improvements made to properties and contain copies of all safety certificates. Tenants would be able to access the passport online.

Local authorities would be able to conduct spot checks to verify the passport is a true record of the state of the property. For social sector landlords, an independent organisation would have the power to check that local authorities have conducted assessments correctly.

The Government has proposed that the existing Decent Homes Standard should be extended to apply to the private rented sector, not just social housing.

The NRLA argues this should be tailored to the private rented sector and bring together the 168 pieces of legislation already affecting it rather than introducing new requirements. What is needed is a standard that simplifies the measures that already exist and can be easily understood by tenants and landlords alike.

According to official statistics, the vast majority of private landlords already provide decent housing. 88% of private rented properties in England have none of the most serious ‘Category One’ hazards whilst almost 94% have no damp problems. Most (83%) private renters are satisfied with their accommodation, a higher proportion than in the social rented sector.

The NRLA remains concerned about the minority of landlords who provide unsuitable housing who damage the reputation of responsible landlords who comply with regulations.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA said: “We want to make it easier for the vast majority of compliant landlords to prove to tenants what they already do, namely providing decent and safe housing. Those who do not would have no option other than to shape up or ship out.

“This would be based on proving compliance with existing laws, not creating new regulations. With almost 170 laws affecting the private rented sector it can hardly be dubbed the wild west. What is needed is better understanding and enforcement of this existing legislation.”


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Comments

Luna

16:49 PM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago

When I started to read this article, I thought the NRLA had turned into Shelter! Who's side are they on? - certainly not the Landlords if they want to add more burdensome bureaucracy and paperwork for us to complete. Tenants have all the relevant paperwork before they move in, so they know the property conforms with all current legislation.
What is going on here - what has happened to the NRLA that they no longer act in the best interests of landlords?. To be frank, I think it is ludicrous that they have come up with this crackpot idea.
We clearly need to replace the NRLA team with people who actually work in the Landlord's interests!

Luke P

16:56 PM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago

I wonder how many members they have? If we can get a petition of more LLs signatures than members, surely they can no longer be accepted as the ‘voice of LLs’…??

Clint

17:39 PM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 24/05/2022 - 11:39
I am a member of the NRLA and I too am not calling for the new passports. Perhaps if we could somehow get NRLA members to sign a petition confirming that they are not calling for the new passports it may be a step forward.

Chris @ Possession Friend

17:52 PM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago

@Luna & Luke
I suggested that ALL landlord groups, both regional and online ( P118 ) should form a landlord Coalition.
That way, a Million + Landlords would be represented, with many of their bodies having a committee input into national strategy.
I cannot understand what the reluctance to this suggestion is ?

Clint

18:02 PM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 24/05/2022 - 16:56
I don't believe it is the NRLA members that are calling for such nonsense. I believe it is just a few who are in the position of power that, are making presentations to the government, that I would consider to be idiotic on behalf of landlords.

It would be interesting to see the outcome if the NRLA asked all their members if they wish to have a passport to prove their homes are compliant.

Darren Peters

20:12 PM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Looks like NRLA has been captured.

Luke P

8:46 AM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 24/05/2022 - 17:39
You are the problem, Clint…hooked on their adviceline & forms (for why else would you be a member)? Giving, what they believe, is a mandate to speak on whatever they decide. Cancel your membership and stop adding weight to their belief!

Clint

10:33 AM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 25/05/2022 - 08:46
I started of being a member of the SLA (Small Landlords Association) in around 1996 which then grew to become the NLA (National Landlords Association). As a member of these organisations, I did not find that they did not act in support of Landlords and in fact the SLA which was very small was excellent. I found that the NLA did not do very much in terms of fighting for landlord’s rights, but they certainly did not put forward policies that were in favour of the tenants.

It all happened after the NLA and RLA amalgamated to become the NRLA just over two years ago. When I first read in the early days of the NRLA a proposal put forward by them to the government which was in favour of tenants I just could not believe it but ignored it at the time.

It has now become a norm for the NRLA to support the tenants on virtually every opportunity they get and perhaps requires yet another name NTA (National Tenants Association) which would possibly be more appropriate.

I have considered leaving the NRLA and will decide what to do once my annual membership comes to an end however, I don’t think me leaving will make any difference unless, there is a mass exodus of landlords leaving the NRLA which has actually grown since amalgamating.

Chris @ Possession Friend

11:57 AM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 25/05/2022 - 10:33
Agreed Clint,
On a survey of members, it was the ability to gain almost instant experienced advice that was the main attraction of membership. Funnily, nobody ever mentioned the NL/RA campaigning for landlords [sic]

I offer Free advice and most forms are available online ( if you know where to look )

I think the regional Landlord associations are a real challenge to NRLA and I only wish they'd all amalgamate into a Landlords Coalition with P118 and others - even if NRLA didn't want to join that, the coalition would dwarf the NRLA members that they ( don't ) represent.

Luke P

13:09 PM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 24/05/2022 - 20:12
I've said that since they merged and was suspecting it of NLA (ever so slightly less so of the RLA) since before that. It's obvious that Govt. want a single, non-threatening, controllable voice as 'the' voice of LLs.

The NRLA should be forced to have a two tier membership...one for the advice and one for lobby/representation, with the head of the representation up for re-election from within the membership annually.

Beadle is a timid mouse, too afraid to lose his seat at the table. Govt. won't ever do what they're not forced. You're having zero impact, Ben. They're just keeping you where the want you and you cannot see it. You think you're having a say by 'shaping' a post-S.21 world. Damn well fight to retain it. If Govt. lock you out, amass the weight of an army of LLs. There's no victory in pleasantries!

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