The Government’s latest proposals for the UK Private Rental Sector (PRS) have been deemed ‘unworkable’ by the National Landlords Association (NLA).
yourmortgage.co.uk – 4 Feb 2010
The plans include a website based on the Trip Advisor model, which allows holidaymakers to post comments about hotels and resorts and rate them accordingly.
The idea is that tenants will post feedback about the rental properties and landlords they deal with, while landlords post comments about their tenants.
The NLA pointed out that the site would have to be so carefully monitored to prevent libel and inappropriate content that it would simply be impossible.
It also claimed that such a site would not offer a true reflection of the sector, as people are naturally more inclined to write about negative experiences than good ones.
The Government has also confirmed its intention of implementing a National Register for Landlords aimed at giving tenants information on the track record of prospective landlords including the condition of their properties and how quickly they fix any faults.
From my experience in removals, the lower end of the market will always be the focus of attention. Not wishing to tar everyone with the same brush, but some students really do trash a property with no thought of their landlord, or of their deposit being returned. At the same time always complaining about the lack of low cost property. Further up the market we can expect a more accountable reflection on the experience.
Comment by Tom Kinnaird — 18/2/2010 #