MPs call for reinstatement of plans to register landlords
A group of MPs are trying to block the government's stated intention to abandon plans for a national register of private landlords, most of whom will be buy-to-let insurance customers.
Andrew Love, the Labour MP for the North London constituency of Edmonton, filed an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the 16th June 2010 against the relaxation of regulation of the private rented sector. The EDM references statistics from the Office of Fair Trading showing a rise in complaints against rogue landlords and letting agents.
Over sixty MPs have signed the EDM but there will be little chance of it ever being debated in the house. Although an EDM is a formal request for a debate on an unspecified day in the future, even one with a huge number of signatures is unlikely ever to be heard. The purpose of filing an EDM in modern parliament is to draw attention to an issue, raising its awareness.
The landlords' association, ARLA, backs the call for tighter regulation, arguing that clearing out unprofessional and unethical operators will increase the health of the industry as a whole. This should ultimately lead to fewer claims on landlord insurance and hence lower buy-to-let insurance premiums.
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July 26th 2010