Renting 'not second best', says NLA
Published: 27-May-2008
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The NLA has called on buy-to-let landlords across the UK to work together in order to dispel the myth that rented housing isn't as good as privately-owned housing.
It said that doing so could help landlords to enjoy increased demand from tenants and subsequent higher rents, adding that there are many reasons why a person may wish to rent a home, rather than buying one.
Citing government figures that show 81 percent of tenants are on good terms with their landlords, David Salusbury, chairman of the NSA, said that renting a decent, affordable property should not be considered as the second-best option.
He responded to the recent Select Committee report on the state of the private rented sector by saying that proper recognition had not been given to local authorities in tackling rogue landlords.
"Where people are suffering at the hands of irresponsible rogue landlords in sub-standardrental accommodation, local authorities should be using the existing statutory powers they have in order to force the necessary improvements to be made," Mr Salusbury added.
A recent survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors indicated that there was an increase in the number of buy-to-let landlords in the first quarter of 2008, as property sellers opt to stay out of the slumping housing market and take advantage of strong rents.
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