Landlords slam register scheme

01/06/2009

The government's new scheme to licence landlords under a nationwide register cannot work, according to one set of experts.

Under the proposals, issued by ministers last week, the group will be obligated to put their names and addresses forward for the database - as well as details of all of their rental properties.

Responding, the National Landlords Association (NLA) termed the scheme "unworkable" and "overly intrusive".

"There are concerns at how this will be policed. These requirements represent a major hurdle," the group said in a statement.

"A TV license holder does not have to submit the number of televisions they have, so why should a landlord?"

The NLA also said that a similar scheme, which has been running in Scotland for the past three years, has proved a "total failure", with 25 per cent of properties unregistered and cash-strapped councils not doing anything to remedy the situation.

David Salusbury, chairman of the NLA, added: "In the current economic climate, the last thing good landlords need is to feel penalised.

"Reform must be workable for landlords and not damage the private-rented sector."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Recent Graduate Debt,

• Share
• 
• 
• Store
• 
• Follow
•