13-09-2006
Confusion over landlord licensing laws
Landlords have been voicing their concerns over property licensing regulations in a stream of phone calls to letting agents, highlighting the current confusion in the rental market.
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) reports that its members have been inundated with calls from landlords who have been confused by a national advertising campaign by the government.
The campaign implies that landlords and their properties should be licensed when, in fact, only some types of multiple occupation households and their landlords require licenses.
Landlords of shared homes, typical student properties and bed-sits have three months starting from April 6th to obtain the mandatory licenses from their local authorities.
However, the advertising campaign suggests that licensing is required by the entire private rented sector and that all landlords risk being penalised if they do not obtain a license.
Arla advises that its member letting agencies are kept fully informed of the legal and regulatory requirements in the private rented sector.
"They can assuage most people's fears, whether the fears are about ethical behaviour, safeguards for clients' money or the latest provisions of a Housing Act and its effect on landlords, tenants and investors in the rental market," says Arla chief executive, Adrian Turner.
