RLA : RPI : BPF backs research into regulation

News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members

other artilces from the February / March 2000 issue

BPF backs research into regulation - February / March 2000

Hopes are high at the British Property Federation that research being undertaken at York University will help bring what is says is a much needed improvement in the regulatory image of the private rented sector.

To be undertaken by Dr Julie Rugg and David Rhodes, the project will involve both assembly of information on current regulation, and the testing of ideas for improvement with an expert panel assembled for the purpose.

The Residential Landlords Association's approach involving voluntary acceptance of a code of practice will be among those schemes considered, confirmed BPF director Richard Lambert.

In fact the RLA is represented on the steering group set up to oversee the project by way of the inclusion of member Mark Butterworth.

Funding to the tune of some £16,000 has been put up, half by the BPF. Also giving support are the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Housing Corporation and two housing associations.

The BPF hopes to be able to use the findings, to be published sometime this summer, to support its campaigning activities. Emanating from research supported by such a cross section of interests, the findings will provide 'quite powerful' arguments to which Government will be obliged to listen, said Lambert.

The researchers have been asked to consider the principles for better, rather than greater, regulation as suggested by the Government. Answers will be sought, amongst other things, as to whether and to what extent market forces have regulatory impact, whether voluntary arrangements can work, and whether codes of practice should be given legal backing.

'Current standards in the sector are scattered across more than 30 different pieces of legislation, and implemented inconsistently', said Lambert. 'If the private rented sector is to grow, we need new investment to overcome the present poor image, and turn the vicious spiral of decline into a virtuous circle of improvement'.

other artilces from the February / March 2000 issue