Landlords launch their own database

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has launched an on-line database of members to improve transparency in the sector.

The database, www.mynlalandlord.org.uk, allows tenants to check whether their landlord has signed up to the NLA's Code of Practice, which the Association says should offer tenants peace of mind.

The scheme has been backed by the Association of Rental Letting Agents (ARLA), which said that "consumer awareness is central to the success of both the NLA and ARLA's endeavours in this area".

The database is separate from the register of private landlords the Government proposed in its response to the Rugg Review [pdf] earlier this year.

The Government recommended the establishment of a register that would include a landlord's name, home address and the addresses of their rental properties, after it found that a "substantial minority" of landlords were operating outside of the regulatory regimes of the 2004 Housing Act.

Landlords would be charged "a small administration fee" to join the national register and would receive a landlord registration number to be used in tenancy agreements, court proceedings and housing benefit claims. Landlords who persistently abused or failed to comply with the regulatory regime would be removed from the register.

However, the NLA previously said that it would "be opposed to the collection of rental property addresses" under the proposed regulations.

"We consider this to be overly intrusive and of no direct benefit to tenants or landlords," said chairman David Salusbury.

IMAGE: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire