Govt risks rushing landlord database, warns NRLA

The government risks compromising the quality of its landlord database due to a rushed timeline, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has warned.

The new national landlord registration service is being introduced to give renters more information and support their decisions with rollout to begin region by region in December.

In future, prospective landlords will also need to register, and tenants will be able to see whether their landlord or prospective landlord has signed up.

However, NRLA chief Ben Beadle said the association is concerned that this database will become "little more” than a national directory for councils.

“The database should be a genuine compliance tool that helps tenants and councils check that homes meet required standards, while enabling responsible landlords to demonstrate that they are meeting their obligations,” said Ben.

“Done properly, it could give tenants confidence, help councils target enforcement and make landlord compliance easier to verify.

“In rushing to launch a stripped-back minimum viable product, the government risks building the database quickly rather than building it properly.”

Ben also expressed concerns about the risk of double regulation, with landlords in some areas already required to pay for local licensing schemes that collect the same information.

“The government needs to explain how these systems will work together — compliant landlords should not have to pay twice to provide the same information,” he added.

However, the NRLA has reacted more positively to other areas of the government’s work.

In announcing the new register, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) also revealed that the HMRC’s Valuation Office will become responsible for decisions on challenges to rent increases in England.

The aim of this change is to help people resolve rent disputes more quickly, which the NRLA has welcomed.

“During the passage of the Renters’ Rights Act, the NRLA repeatedly called for the Government to make use of the VO’s expertise on local market rents to help prevent the Tribunal system becoming overwhelmed,” said Ben.

“A quicker, specialist rent determination service should benefit both tenants and landlords while easing pressure on an already stretched Tribunal system.”