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17/12/25 3:30 pm
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A new organisation has been set up to unify local and regional landlord associations around the country.
The Voice of Landlords Associations (VOLA) aims to ensure that landlords are actively represented in policy discussions, legislative reforms, and public debates, and to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
A not-for-profit organisation, it’s the brainchild of Paul Cunningham, chair of the Eastern Landlords Association (ELA). He hopes other groups will now join VOLA which also includes British Landlords Association, Leeds Property Association and Devon Landlords Association, as well as ELA, together representing about 53,000 landlord members.
Cunningham believes that the issue of selective licensing schemes has prompted many landlords to question why they aren’t being represented on a national level. The ELA is currently challenging Great Yarmouth Council to defend its upcoming scheme and has threatened legal action.
VOLA is also looking to work with government to help develop secondary legislation under the Renters' Rights Act, to address the struggling court system.
“The industry has never been in such a parlous state,” he tells LandlordZONE. “We’re just seen as easy pickings, but we don’t want to roll over. When tenant groups speak, everyone listens, but it’s not the same when landlords speak.”
VOLA chair Charlie Baker (pictured above) – who is also an ELA director – says some small associations only have 200 or 300 members and are struggling to keep them informed.
“There are probably at least 25 registered landlord associations in the UK but lots more groups. Hopefully we can be their access point,” she tells LandlordZONE. “We want to unify them and amplify their voices.”
VOLA will share best practices and legal updates as well as collect and analyse data from member associations to inform policy positions. Much of the information on offer will be free for members, but paid services could include getting access to templates to produce weekly newsletters or a chance to become a member of VOLA’s board.
While the NRLA works directly with landlords, VOLA is working with associations, explains Baker.
“We want to provide an alternative so that when the NRLA is talking to government there will be a member alongside them from VOLA.”
Membership is open to any landlord association that meets the criteria. Find more information here.
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