National Register For Private Landlords

According to Lettingaproperty.com, private landlords will soon have to join a national register under new government legislation. We heard about this proposal several months ago, and it finally seems to be nearing implementation.

This appears to be another gem from Communities and Local Government – the department that wants to put a limit on the number of HMOs – for this new national register all private landlords will have to pay £40 to register online and agree that they will meet certain standards before they’re allowed to let out their property. This would apply to live-in landlords too, so anyone who takes in a lodger as well as anyone who lets out a house or flat will have to register.

We think that so-called ‘rogue landlords’ can be a problem – landlords after all have an obligation to give tenants a safe place to live and some landlords don’t. The vast majority of landlords do however, so is a blanket register the right solution?

Revenue and Customs will be able to access landlord information through the register – we’re not saying you landlords evade tax, but we’d bet money that the Tax Man will take a special interest in landlords from now on. Not only that, but the government aren’t exactly known for data security! (We’d like to know why every government scheme involves taking personal details and making you pay for the privilege?)

The register is expected to come online in the autumn, and you can be sure we’ll be ready with help and advice to make sure you meet any government requirements. If landlords have to register then so be it – we’ll just try to make it as pain-free as possible