Why is the NRLA supporting anti-landlord needs?

Grahame... My thoughts exactly.... 🙁

As long as he keeps the NRLA ticking over without causing too much fuss, he and the other 140 staff continue to get paid!

I contacted Ben by email last week as I was so mad by his latest posting on X.

Here is my email and his response...

My email
Mr Beadle,
Just read your X posting “If amendments are as reported, the Govt should get on and publish them. The changes would give responsible #landlords the confidence they need & keep manifesto promises to #renters.
“I hope @michaelgove stands firm & gets the RRB over the line. It would be a travesty if not.”

Why didn't you just come out and say that the members of the NRLA never thought getting rid of S21 was a good idea at all, but given the push to do this, all the NRLA wants to do is ensure that all the RRB legislation is given full and proper consideration with the prescribed time for all amendments to be heard and digested so that it is fair to both sides if and when it is passed???

As it is, you have now played into the hands of those calling for swift movement to the statute books as soon as possible at the same time suggesting it is far more important than the amendments proposed/ actual content/wording/substance and application of a piece of legislation that has the power to undermine the PRS literally overnight.

Who exactly do you think people see you representing when you make statements like this? It is certainly not the landlord is it.

I'm disgusted.

Ben reply

Thanks for your email.
The reality is, is that if Labour get into power there will be zero concessions afforded to landlords.

We are aware that there are a number of helpful changes government are considering, thanks to our campaigning and discussions with back bench MPs. However, if they do not table them soon, it is likely the Bill will fall – whilst this might be helpful in the short term it is no more a stay of execution. Therefore, we are pushing government to table these amendments to prevent this from happening. If they are tabled, the Bill has to make its way through the Lords before Royal Assent and it could change again. Either way, if it does reach Royal Assent, it is subject to a minimum of six months lead in for new tenancies.
I appreciate you have strong views on this subject but I made this call because I believe it to be in the best long term interest of our members and the wider sector.
Ben Beadle
Chief Executive Officer

My response by return

Mr Beadle,
Thank you for your swift reply.
It seems we see the same vision in regard to what will happen if Labour get in, although 'zero concessions' suggests you see this being based on the presumption only of no positive deviation from the current baseline for landlords. I am afraid I see only plans for a full front attack on the PRS - to further legislate, impose additional restrictions and erode/undermine any possession grounds.

We have had a system that does not have the ability/capacity/will to provide properly affordable social (family sized) housing provision according to its own agreed level of legislative duty for many, many years. With no end in sight and private sector provision of the same now dwindling, Labour now want this 'duty to house' replicated in the PRS. Just look at the current direction of travel. It is going to be more and more difficult for landlords to genuinely gain legal possession of their own property in a timely and fair manner. Is Labour strategy to morph the PRS into a second tier social housing sector by the backdoor? It certainly feels like it.

You are fully aware of the anguish that is being felt, the uncertainty the RRB on the whole is having and action that has been taken already by some landlords (selling up etc).

I don't see how tabling in amendments, delayed passage, possible change and a rush to Assent is the way forward here. Badly worded, unclear and unbalanced legislation is always worse than no legislation.
The perception of the PRS will irrevocably change if Labour get into power. Any legislation will be pitched at an ailing sector, with a far worse future than before the GE.
So let the Bill fall - let Labour have the difficulty of starting again from scratch. Opposition will be stronger than it is now as the shift will have to be in getting more property released for rent not to reduce it further.
This has to be the best outcome for private residential landlords. That is what the R and L in the NRLA stands for.
The PRS exists because of residential landlords, not the other way around.

Ben Response

Thanks for your views. We certainly share the same passion for our sector and the members we serve, although have a different route to doing so regarding the RRB. I have seen the amendments and they will be very positive if published – much more so than if left to Labour, who will abolish section 21 without any safeguards within 100 days of coming to power.
I respect your views – but I do not need reminding about who we represent or what our name stands for. I would like to assure you though that whatever the colour of Government, we will continue to champion the sector and the excellent work our members do, to get the best possible outcome available.
I wish you well.

The cynic in me would suggest that with every bit of landlord tenant legislation, be it good or bad, they rub their hands together thinking about all the money they will make running courses to teach grandmothers to suck eggs!
I would always go to a company like Pims.co.uk who produce the goods without flogging over priced courses.

This is the reason I have not renewed my membership with NRLA this year as I felt they are working for the government, not the landlords. They should be paid by the government the way they side with the anti-landlord policies, rather than ask us to pay them. I also tried using their advice line twice when I had a bad tenant but it was just as useless. I feel we do not have a credible organization representing our interests and views to bring a more balanced approach to this landlord bashing party which is destroying the small landlords and creating a massive crisis for tenants. Who is really benefiting here? Let's be honest - large build-to-rent corporations, banks and government, that's it. But somehow we are the bad guy who must be punished for the mess created by government policies and inadequate justice system. No wonder so many are voting with their feet. We need a credible voice and a loud one at that to tell the truth and fight for it. NRLA is certainly not that voice.

I cancelled my membership with them £85 a year I think the NRLA are out of touch with reality of what landlords risk already without sucking up to the government clobbering landlords.

Beadle - definition

/bēd′l/
noun

A minor parish official formerly employed in an English church to usher and keep order during services.

I thought that the day he was appointed.

Any NRLA members, not already seen out CEO supports us…just take a look 😮
Wonder how we got to today’s announcement, wonder why we still pay our membership 🤷‍♀️
Not sure the NRLA is representing our interests anymore, here is the CEO!
Reference scrapping section 21 - CEO of NRLA says it’s fine, no different
Please jump to 16.03 mins of video to see the NRLA representation of scrapping Section 21.
Full video here from the recent public accounts committee
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/6dab29da-7df5-46b7-af1e-d5eee8641f3b?fbclid=IwAR3BRdiLftzOyi8Vtpj5L7ZPNkVEap3DTfYqj1wNpLfT6oHunQ4nNy1upg8G

After that Video, plus the partnering to places like B&Q, who then in turn donate money to shelter I can’t see how we as members are not being sold down the river and when you call out the NRLA - National Residential Landlords Association on it they just give lip service responses or choose to ignore the difficult questions

One thing about Labour though - the Tory gets away with many things which if Labour did something similar, it will be front page news (especially with Daily Mail etc).

If Labour wants to be around for more than one term, it will need to be more cautious and want a functioning market.

There will be a greater housing problem: the government and Shelter are causing it, They pass the buck to the landlords! They wipe their hands of it! Cowardly, irresponsible, stupid!