The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has marked its 20th anniversary by holding a Parliamentary event attended by the Secretary of State for Housing.
As part of the event, a collection of essays looking at the future of the private rental sector has been launched.
The essays have been provided by organisations such as Shelter, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Institute for Public Policy Research and Crisis. They represent tenants, landlords, enforcing bodies and think tanks.
The documents look ahead to where these organisations feel the sector should be heading in the next 20 years.
Coordinated by the RLA, the essays have been launched at an event in the House of Commons to mark the firm’s 20th anniversary.
Speaking at the event was the Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire MP, and the Shadow Housing Secretary, John Healey MP.
All of the essays recognise the importance of a thriving private rental sector that works for both landlords and tenants, with calls made for reforms to improve the ability to secure swift and effective justice in the minority of cases where things go wrong between the landlord and their tenant.
Alan Ward, the Chair of the RLA, says: “The RLA’s 20th anniversary provides an opportunity to take stock of where the private rented sector now is, and where we all want it to go.
“All the contributors recognise the importance of the sector in providing homes to many millions of people. As we go forward, we need to ensure the sector works for tenants and good landlords alike, whilst rooting out the criminals who have no place in a modern rental market.”
Brokenshire speaks out in support of the RLA: “I want to congratulate the RLA on 20 years of hard work helping make the private rented sector better for everyone.
“This is a vision shared by Government and is why we have taken action to raise standards in the sector, and protect tenants from substandard accommodation and unfair charges.”
He adds: “There is much more still to be done to ensure everyone has a decent and safe home, and I look forward to continuing our work alongside the RLA in the months and years to come.”
Labour MP Karen Buck, a Vice Chair of the All Party Group for the Private Rented Sector, also comments: “My work on housing has brought me into increasing contact with the RLA. I have found them to be constructive, engaged, highly professional and a source of excellent information.”
Congratulations to the RLA for 20 years in the industry and for the work they continue to do.