'Year of opportunity for letting agents'

News Category: Industry News

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Despite the doom and gloom associated with the credit crunch, 2009 will be an "exciting time" for many letting agents, an expert has suggested.

According to David Salusbury, chairman of the National Landlords Association (NLA), the government is now "actively seeking" the views of landlords, who now own more than three million households in the UK.

He said the NLA will be continuing it efforts to encourage the government to reduce regulation and bureaucracy for the benefit of the private-rented sector.

Mr Salusbury added: "We believe the next 12 months will be an exciting time for professional, portfolio landlords as they seek to grow their lettings businesses."

However the NLA chairman acknowledged the effects of the economic downturn on the private-rented sector.

The organisation will work hard to offer advice to members who are experiencing financial difficulties in the current economic climate, Mr Salusbury said.

Research by the NLA earlier this month showed that 71 per cent of landlords expect to experience an increase in rental arrears among their tenants during 2009.

Letting agents could consider rent collection software to assist their operations in the new year, as the recession appears likely to have a continued affect on the UK economy.

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