Membership Renewal – Why would I?
Today I received a renewal reminder from NRLA. Although it is true, when I was a new Landlord I found the original NLA useful and supportive, I do not feel they represent the Landlords any longer. Where is their voice for us? It is certainly not being heard – anywhere. Maybe they never represented us, and they were never heard, but I really feel that they are a silent force who represent no one any more.
It may be a waste of time, but this was my response.
If I felt that the NRLA was fighting for a fair deal for landlords with our tenant biased Government – and that you truly represented your members – I would rejoin. However, over the last few years, I have felt that the NRLA has let Landlords down very badly. Why are you not contesting the claims of overall bad landlording made by Shelter? Why are you not fighting for us to have a fair deal with our Government; ie: Section 24; constant upgrades on safety inspections – at huge expense and with little benefit etc? Why is it when I ask for NRLA legal advice, no real advice is received, just the suggestion that I go to seek independent legal help?
I used to think you were representing us, the Landlords and that you offered value for money, but I no longer do feel that. So, No, I will not be re-joining. I’ll save my money to pay the taxman, the electrician, the gas safety expert, the EPC guy (what a waste of money and for what benefit?), the tenant who sits in my house for 6/12/18 months without paying any rent with the complicit agreement of our Government, shall I go on?
Yours,
Warwick
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Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 985 - Articles: 2
9:10 AM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
Firstly, they are a profit making organisation with shareholders. As such making an annual profit is important. This money comes from membership fees and income from selling courses, insurance introducer fees, etc. Note the switch from supporting landlords in Wales when the Welsh Govt proposed the licencing of all landlords. Driven by the knowledge that landlord training was a compulsory element. They do represent landlords in many instances but in the current climate the Govt has deaf ears. Landlords are not activists (unlike tenant groups) and hence most NRLA campaigns are not visually or verbally supported aggressively with Govt. We are lambs and easy to take advantage of. Too willing to sit back and let an organisation do the work. So their lack of success is multi faceted. Is it worth you being a member can only be determined on an individual basis. I can remember the NLA’s AGM which was a great annual event, very informative with a party in the evening. Unfortunately these are no longer held. These events put you in touch with the Directors and other key people , when these stopped it went down hill in my mind!
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3514 - Articles: 5
10:56 AM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
for exactly the same reasons I will be questioning my membership shortly….
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
5:36 PM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
i left nla–were not on my side
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
9:08 PM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
They should be made to split the business into practical resources for LLs and, separately, their lobbying activities. Cleverly, they’ve got to a position where they offer advice/documents that some LLs want and pay membership for, but this is conflated with acceptance/support for the way they represent the industry at Parliamentary level.
Further, because they’re too scared to lose the ear of Govt, they barely whisper our grievances, yet are accepted as *the* authority on all things BTL. They’d be better speaking up or moving aside.
However, as Robert says, they’re primarily a profit-making organisation and we should have laws about private business being able to lobby Westminster as the sole listened-to voice of the people they purport (pretend?) to support.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
9:12 PM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
it should not be profit making–i thought it was a membership organization?
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 985 - Articles: 2
10:31 PM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 23/03/2021 – 21:12
Yes, apologies, they are a not for profit organisation. However, they need a significant income to administer the business and hence income is important. I guess member fees are subsidised by this income!
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
11:41 PM, 23rd March 2021, About 5 years ago
salaries to board?
Member Since October 2018 - Comments: 149
5:03 PM, 24th March 2021, About 5 years ago
The reason why the NRLA lack clout with the Gov is down to the lack of support from LL’s – There are 2.6M Ll’s in the UK yet only 90k members of NRLA so when the NRLA make any case they are “representing” just 90k people.
The likes of Shelter, Gen Rent etc can “claim” they represent over 4M Private renters – you do the maths, who is the Gov going to listen to?
Unless LL’s stand up together as one we have no chance of swaying the Gov to listen to our concerns.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
6:43 PM, 24th March 2021, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 24/03/2021 – 17:03
The NRLA would very likely behave the exact same (weakly) even if every LL in the country were a member. They are so far in bed with Govt, they practically *are* the Govt.
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 130
7:30 AM, 27th March 2021, About 5 years ago
Think this sums it up – with NRLA membership you get 10% trade point discount at B&Q. Only problem B&Q donate to shelter ???????
https://www.diy.com/corporate/shelter