Latest articles by Sally Walmsley

GDPR: Do I really need to register with the ICO?

Following a high number of calls from members having received conflicting advice, we gain clarification from the ICO on whether landlords need to register.

Year long contracts to be made mandatory by the Welsh Government

Landlords in Wales will soon be unable to regain possession of their property for at least 12 months under a new law announced today. The new law applies unless a tenant breaches the terms of their contract. For example if they are committing antisocial behaviour or are in rent arrears, or if a tenant decides to leave.

Landlords would pay for tenants council tax under new labour plan

Renters would no longer have to pay council tax under plans being considered by the Labour Party. The charge would be replaced with a new “progressive property tax” set nationally instead of by local councils and paid for by landlords instead of tenants.

Appeal court win for NRLA

Fire Safety: Making sure your tenants are safe

In the year ending June 2019, 215 people lost their lives due to house fires, including tenants in rented homes.In response to this the Home Office has re-launched its fire safety campaign which including information and advice for landlords and tenants.

Making Tax Digital roll out announced, but is the timing right?

More landlords will have to use the government’s new digital tax system from April 2022 the Government announced today – with most needing to comply by 2023.

Landlords welcome calls for benefit boost for tenants

Landlords have supported calls from the Mayor of London to ensure the benefits system covers the cost of private rents for those tenants adversely affected by coronavirus. Sadiq Khan is calling on the government to introduce a new "triple lock"of measures aimed at protecting private renters.

General Election 2019 - What we know so far

Ahead of political parties launching their election manifestos over the next week, we look at some of the statements politicians from each of the three major parties have made when it comes to housing, and in particular the private rented sector.

Shadow Chancellor pledges to cap rents to 'rip-off landlords'

John McDonnell has pledged to cap rents in his speech to the Labour Party Conference in Brighton.In the speech he says a future Labour Government will cap rents and build a million new genuinely affordable homes, so young people in particular aren’t pouring away thousands of pounds from their wages to "rip-off" landlords.

RLA election manifesto: a positive vision for the PRS

With a General Election set for December 12, the RLA has published a six-point manifesto unveiling a positive vision for the private rented sector.