NRLA at Conservative Party Conference

NRLA Chief Executive, Ben Beadle, was at the Conservative Party Conference this week, standing up for the private rented sector and reminding MPs that we can’t fix the housing crisis without private landlords. 

After last year’s election defeat, the Conservatives arrived in Manchester with a focus on “renewal” under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership. The expectation was for bold new ideas, and I was hopeful some of these would address the challenges landlords face every day: taxation, rental reform and the costs of upgrading homes to meet energy efficiency targets.  

Housing was certainly on the agenda, with numerous fringe events and receptions focusing on the issue.  

But while housebuilding took centre stage, the private rented sector barely got a mention.  

When it did, it was mainly through criticism of the Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, with Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly among those warning of the risk to rental supply. 

Sadly though, there were no clear policy announcements on the private rented sector, with the commitment to abolish Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) only applying to primary residences. 

Despite the lack of clear policy announcements, there were some useful conversations.    

At one fringe event focused on solving the UK’s housing crisis, the PRS featured heavily. 

On the panel was David Simmonds MP, my local MP and now Shadow Housing Minister, who praised the NRLA for our work highlighting landlords’ concerns on the Renters’ Rights Bill and outlined his own concerns on the Bill.  

While I appreciated his comments, I couldn’t resist reminding him that many of the policies placing pressure on the sector – from Section 24 to the early stages of rental reform – began life under his own party.  

If we want to sustain the sector, we need to reflect on what’s gone wrong and collaborate on what comes next.  

It was also extremely useful to connect with other stakeholders in the housing sector. 

 My thanks go to the Nationwide Foundation for hosting an insightful event that brought together housing professionals for discussions on current policy.  

We also heard from Harrow East MP and long-time anti-homelessness campaigner Bob Blackman MP who gave his views on how the Conservative party can get more people off the streets and into secure homes, including the role the PRS can play in this. 

NRLA CEO Ben Beadle with Andrew Pierce

NRLA CEO Ben Beadle with Kevin Hollinrake MP

Green Party ‘abolition’ plan

While I was making the case for landlords in Manchester, making the case for landlords, the Green Party was holding its own conference down in Bournemouth, formally adopted a proposal to “abolish landlords” during its conference.  

Fundamentally, this is a ludicrous proposal, which I do not intend to give any further airtime. If the Greens really want to improve outcomes for tenants, they should focus on expanding supply and choice. 

They would also do well to remember a large number of people live in the PRS precisely because of the flexibility it allows, whether they’re leaving home for the first time, relocating for a job, or moving in with a partner. 

NRLA Conference

While conference season is now over for political parties, we still have our own National Housing Conference in Liverpool on the 5th November. This year’s conference will be hosted by the award-winning business journalist Steph McGovern, with speakers including property guru expert Sarah Beeny.  

To secure your ticket  click here.