British Landlords Association - The BLA

7 benefits of joining a Landlords Association (LA)

Here are some compelling reasons why you should join a national or local association.

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, we have had a fair share of new legislation. It seems the endless introduction of new regulations for the rental sector directly affects landlords.

In recent years, the Government has also introduced hefty financial penalties and, in some cases, custodial sentences for non-compliance. Residential sector landlords can ill afford to get things wrong when managing property.

Most UK LA provides many benefits to their members, including legal advice, updates, and a wide range of legal documents, like tenancy agreements, eviction notices, and guides.

They make the letting process easier to manage for a private landlord well as corporate.

Before becoming a member of the British Landlords Association, Mark Burcher said: “We had a lot of law to contend with as a private landlord; it was daunting. Since the Coronavirus Pandemic hit us, we have had so much new legislation with new eviction notice periods.”

“My tenants have rent arrears, and the eviction process has changed so much I no longer knew what to do. Thanks to the BLA, I have had excellent free support from their legal team.”

Many of our clients ask us about the benefits of joining a LA:

1. Accreditation = reputation and credibility

The UK private rental market continues to expand partly due to people’s inability to afford the high house prices. Renters want a professional landlord who is likely to offer them a home with a reasonable standard.

Landlord accreditation is independent verification; your membership with the BLA will demonstrate that you are a professional and trustworthy landlord to letting trade and suppliers.

The Accreditation enables you to run your letting business efficiently. The BLA accreditation scheme is open to all members.

2. Knowledge to resolve and or reduce potential issues

All genuine LA offer free telephone advice to their members. Telephone helplines provide practical advice for their members.

3. Membership can reduce penalties and fines.

Landlord legislation is constantly changing – not only is it challenging to keep up with, but substantial fines are imposed for those that breach their legal obligations.

If you fail to supply an annual Gas Safety certificate, a typical example can result in a £6,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment.

These changes can often be complex so LA ensures that members are kept up to speed with incoming legislation. LA provide analysis and a clear explanation of your legal requirements.

This saves time and stress, crucially gives members peace of mind and the confidence that they are familiar with the current regulations.

4. Document download

Members save money and potential trouble as they have access to correct documents when they need them. Crucially they also have access to the landlord helpline should they require it if they need help with documents.

Members have access to a wide range of legal documents, templates, guides, Section 21, Section 8, and Section 13 rent increase notice. Downloadable documents are available for residential landlord and the commercial sector too.

You have access to the BLA templates to deal with rent arrears and universal credit. Universal credit guide and government helpline contact details.

5. Discounted services & Products

Associations can offer their members discounted rates on a vast selection of services and products by partnering with other businesses and providers.

The BLA offer discounted rates on deposit protection schemes. These member benefits combined add up to a substantial saving, particularly if you have a more extensive property portfolio.

You have access to property management software, allowing you to manage your residential properties more efficiently.

6. Campaigning

The BLA Provides analysis of Landlord related issues through their social media platforms. The BLA campaign on behalf of members, speaking for its members engaging with policymakers within regional and national Governments.

The two national LA, the BLA and NRLA, are active in England, Wales & Scotland. Members can meet fellow landlords at events relevant to the property industry.

7. Landlord online training courses

The BLA provide members and non-members courses like HMO, Foundation, and eviction process course.

These courses are helpful and result in members running their rental properties more efficiently dealing with rent arrears by following the correct process. How to deal with universal credit tenants and anti-social behaviour.

These courses are online which can be taken at your leisure in the comfort of your own home.

Other benefits of joining a LA?

You can meet other fellow landlords and discuss the regulatory environment, landlord courses, universal credit. All topics majority of private sector landlords discuss.

How do I join the British Landlord’s association?

The BLA membership process is much simpler, more straightforward than any other association as you do not need a credit card.

Your email will have to be verified, and you do need to be a landlord, letting agent or a property manager to join.

How much does it cost to join a national landlords association?

National landlords association the NRLA offer varying levels of membership, individual, business or even family membership. The NRLA membership is a recurring membership fee, anything from £75 to £225.

The NRLA & the BLA have an excellent range of services for the landlord community.

However, the BLA are the only LA that covers commercial & residential landlords.

About British Landlords Association membership?

The BLA is one of the largest membership organisations in the UK. The membership benefit you receive is one of the best you can get in the UK.

Most association landlord advice helplines are run by other landlords. This is where the BLA stands alone.

They have proper lawyers to advise their members.

Should you need more information, the contact details are on our contact us page.

Small individual landlords who only have one property can join too.

I am a resident landlord can I join?

Most LA members are property owners, like resident Landlord, Housing association, private commercial, individual, or corporate Landlords.

An accidental landlord may have just one property, or a company may have several thousand. Nevertheless, LA is well worth joining.

What are the benefits of joining a national landlord association?

National landlord associations offer a much more comprehensive range of products and services than regional or local LA.

Local ones cannot provide the same level of service or the variety of products or services as the national ones.

However, the local organisations have a better knowledge of the local area than the national residential landlords association. This can be useful, especially if all the properties are in one location.

What must a landlord provide by law UK?

The legislation for commercial and residential landlords is not the same.

Some legislation does not apply to resident landlords, like the tenant deposit scheme. However, you must seek legal advice before you assume you are a resident landlord. You can contact a residential landlord association or the BLA if you are not sure.

The residential sector is much more regulated than the commercial sector.

Residential landlords are required to provide safe and energy-efficient homes to tenants.

Before renting a property, the following things must be in place:

A gas safety certificate, electrical inspection report EICR and an EPC, and once let, you must protect the deposit if one is taken.

It would be best to carry out credit & referencing check before you consider taking on a tenant. This reduces the potential risk of rent losses and a headache in the future.

It would help if you considered taking membership with an association of landlords. A full list of LA can be found on our blog, which may assist you.