Landlords are likely to find a stronger and substantially louder voice thanks to the merger of the two biggest pressure groups, the National Landlords’ Association (NLA) and the Residential Landlords’ Association (RLA). The new organisation will be the largest lobby group for private sector landlords in England and Wales.
Announcing the merger on the 18th of September, Property Reporter indicated that the leading new spokesman for the rights and interests of landlords throughout the country is to be known as the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).
Earlier this year, the NLA claimed a total membership of more than 40,000 and the RLA only slightly fewer at 35,000.
Although the new organisation does not officially come into being until the 1st of January next year, it already claims a combined membership of more than 80,000 landlords – by far the biggest mouthpiece for owners of buy to let property. Together they own and run an estimated 500,000 let properties – or about 10% of all private rented dwellings – in England and Wales.
The current membership of both the NLA and the RLA – all landlords themselves – have voted overwhelmingly for the merger. The result is heralded to bring a stronger voice in support of landlords, providing them with the services they need, and a vehicle through which to lobby government and other key decision-makers.
Between now and official launch, the new NRLA will be looking to appoint a fresh chairman and directors – expressions of interests in those posts have been invited from both within and outside the NLA and the RLA.
