Contents

• Introduction

• Current issues affecting landlords

• Current campaigning activity

• A new enforcement model for the Private Rented Sector
• Studentification
• European Union proposals relating to derivative trades and the effect on property lending
• Government’s proposals relating to water charging
• Taxation of Residential Landlords
• Disability Discrimination Act
• LACORS Fire Safety Guidence – The Next Steps
• Section 21 Under Threat
• RLA Manifesto
• RLA CO-ORDINATES TENANT CHOICE ALLIANCE

• Past campaigning activity

• RLA Act on Landlord Tax Issues
• The Importance of Section 21
• Fire Safety in Shared Houses
• Improvements to fire safety
• Implementation of HMO licensing
• Energy Performance Certificates
• Protocol for Rent Arrears
• The role of the County Court
• Housing Act 2004
• Amenities in HMOs

• Submissions

• Green Deal & Energy Company Obligations
• Revised London Housing Strategy
• SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: Video Inventory
• Where Health and Safety Legislation has gone wrong
• A NEW SOCIAL HOUSING REGIME? – A DISCUSSION PAPER
• WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION PAPER - THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR IN WALES
• RESPONSE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION PAPER: NEW HOMES BONUS
• RESPONSE TO COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION PAPER – LOCAL DECISIONS: A FAIRER FUTURE FOR SOCIAL HOUSING
• RESPONSE TO THE LAW COMMISSION CONSULTATION PAPER - NUMBER 195: CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN REGULATORY CONTEXT
• Initial Response To HM Treasury - Consultation Paper: A New Approach To Financial Regulation

• What you can do

• Capital Gains Tax - The RLA is concerned that the new Government’s proposals to increase Capital Gains Tax.  Currently landlords in the private rented sector are not treated as traders so they do not obtain all of the reliefs normally open to those in business.  In particular, we want to see the introduction of Capital Gains Tax roll over relief for active landlords who sell and reinvest the proceeds.
   
• Use Classes Order - Recent changes to the Use Classes Order mean that landlords wanting to let out a property formerly occupied by a family/single person could now need planning permission.  These changes were introduced in the dying days of the last Government as a “swipe” at HMO landlords.  We are campaigning for the reversal of these changes.
• Local Housing Allowance - At the moment, local housing allowance is normally paid direct to tenants.  This has led to increasing arrears and a situation where landlords are no longer willing to let to benefit claimants.  We argue for the reintroduction of tenant’s choice so that the tenant can decide to have the allowance paid to his/her landlord if this is what the tenant wants.
• Disability discrimination - We are campaigning against the proposed European Directive which would mean that adaptations may have to be made to properties in anticipation that one day you may let to a disabled person.  The Directive also proposes a requirement to make structural changes to adapt properties to suit disabled persons.  This is not a requirement currently under UK law.  We are also campaigning for clarification of the effects of the Equality Act which will make it harder to obtain possession against a disabled person, especially someone with a mental disorder. 
• Water charges - The RLA has successfully campaigned against HMO landlords being automatically responsible for water charges.  However, there are new notification requirements which will mean that if a non resident landlord does not notify the details of the new tenancies then the landlord would be liable jointly with the tenant for water charges.  We are involved in the consultation process to produce the new regulations and wanting to make sure that notification is made as easy and simple as possible.