News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the June / July 2002 issue RPI news archive

Lancaster survey excludes landlord involvement - June / July 2002

RLA members have been assured that a 'Risk assessment survey' of private rented properties in Lancaster will not lead to introduction of a registration scheme without consultation.

A decision by Lancaster City Council to conduct the survey without first speaking to or involving landlords had gone against the spirit of relationships forged between the council and local landlords, said RLA Lancaster and Morecambe chairman John Drinkall. 'The lack of consultation is particularly puzzling because the RLA recently established constructive dialogue with the council at senior officer level in a bid to move towards improving private rented accommodation on a partnership basis'.

It is feared the results of the survey may be used as a lever to introduce a registration scheme. But Lancaster community services corporate director Peter Loker told RPI that 'before looking at any form of registration we would look to consult with associations on what would be appropriate measures. We would not just impose a registration scheme as a result of the survey's findings without approaching landlords' representatives with our proposals'.

He also welcomed the intervention of landlords associations within the regional marketplace as a whole.

'At present we have contact with the RLA and we want to maintain that contact. It makes our job easier if we have one or two associations of that nature to negotiate and consult with, rather than try to deal with relatively hundreds of smaller landlords'.

Tenants throughout the city have received letters from the council stating that representatives would be in their local area inspecting private rented properties. Also included was a questionnaire for tenants to complete. The letter went on to say that tenants could inform their landlords of the inspections although it placed them under no obligation to do so.

'The RLA fully supports improvements of private rented accommodation nationwide, but we would prefer that surveys such as this are carried out with respect and courtesy towards landlords who actually own and run businesses via the properties the council is proposing to inspect', said Drinkall.
 

other artilces from the June / July 2002 issue

• Accredited to thrive
• Shelter group calls for landlord tax breaks
• Rat landlord fined
• Lancaster survey excludes landlord involvement
• Tax fiddle landlords jailed
• 'Liar' landlord condemned
• 'Flood of properties' hits rental values
• HMO failure brings fine
• In brief