Landlords asked to rise up against government plans

Added 18.03.10

The Residential Landlords Association (RL) is attempting to mobilise the property industry into action to oppose government plans being introduced at the start of next month that it believes will have a negative affect on the Private Rented Sector.

A letter from RLA chairman Alan Ward is being circulated by e-mail. It says: I am writing to ask you to act urgently and make your voice heard.

“Tell your MP and the Government why you believe the Government’s change to Planning Use Classes Order is bad for the Private Rented Sector, both for landlords and tenants.

“Popularly called Studentification, these new powers could affect any rented property not currently rented by a family or related group.

“After 6 April 2010 if you want to let what has been a family house or flat to three or more unrelated people such as:

nurses sharing
a family with a lodger
students
young professionals
migrant workers
even the elderly

“If you have an existing shared house or flat which you let to a single person or a family you will lose the right - once they have moved out - to let it again to sharers without obtaining planning permission.

“You will have to pay £335 and wait eight weeks and probably longer for planning permission before you can legally rent to them. Even then you may be refused planning permission.

“And all because Secretary of State John Denham will not listen to the combined voices of landlords and tenants, students, letting agents and local retailer organisations (RLA, British Property Federation, National Union of Students) who are against the measures.

You can make a difference by emailing your MP and the Government NOW

“Please do it Now - time is very short.”

The e-mail gives details on how to send in a letter.

There is also advice on the RLA website: www.rla.org.uk

News feed courtesy of Residential Landlord