The Negotiator magazine has published a blog from Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director of Leaders Romans Group in which she emphasizes the vital role played by landlords in preventing homelessness and advocates for a “Landlords Reform Bill” to safeguard their position. It traces the emergence of amateur or small-scale landlords in the 1990s as a response to the shortage of council houses, driven by the Right to Buy policy.
The piece notes that regulatory measures and changes to mortgage relief have impacted landlords, potentially leading some to consider selling properties. The article highlights a survey by Leaders Romans Group where landlords called for a comprehensive Landlords Reform Bill addressing concerns and ensuring continued participation in the rental market. The suggested bill could include measures like dedicated housing courts, a repeal of Section 24, and an increase in social housing stock.
The author anticipates the continuing professionalization of the private rented sector and emphasizes the need for landlords to be financially astute amid economic circumstances and regulatory changes.
