A consortium of businesses have come together to launch the first regional landlord association to improve the education of landlords in the North East.
The North East Landlords Group is the brainchild of Martin Wardle property tax director, and landlord himself, at Robson Laidler Accountants, Paul Hampton of Approved Mortgage Solutions, Janet Fay of Coversure Insurance and Surbhi Vedhara property partner at Sweeney Miller Solicitors who have recruited former National Landlords Association North East representatives Bruce Haagensen and Steve Johnson to work with them.
Together, the group aim to hold a number of property events North and South of the Tyne each year to educate, inform and influence landlords in the North East.
The group will work closely with all 13 of the North East regional councils on behalf of Local Landlords to help inform policy support their engagement with the private rented sector and improve the housing offering.
Bruce Haagensen said: “The private-rented sector accounts for about 16% of households in the North East region and as such we feel the launch of the North East Landlords Group is a critical development for this increasingly complex audience and its stakeholders.
“It is important for the private rented sector to have a voice with the aim of balancing safeguards for tenants’ interests and setting the right conditions to enable the sector to contribute fully to the provision of good quality, well managed housing.
“We have pulled together the cream of the crop of housing professionals from around the region who together will provide landlords with a truly member-centric service and ensure a professional but most importantly a local personal service, which is what landlords have indicated they value most.
“We will be offering numerous services to our landlord and property investor members including specific advice, policy support and information.” The North East Landlords Group will also have a national presence as it will be affiliated to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).
Talking of the new North East Landlords Group, Andrew Goodacre of the RLA said: “We are delighted to hear about local businesses joining forces to represent the private rented sector at a local level. Whilst we focus on national campaigns, there is also a role for local groups to make a difference in their area. The RLA has a track record of supporting local landlord groups and hope to do so in the North East going forward.”
Robson Laidler’s tax director Martin Wardle said: “As a landlord myself, landlords come to me for advice and guidance because they know they can trust the support I offer. Likewise, we hope that stakeholders such as industry bodies and government departments will place a strong emphasis on the valued relationship we hope to develop through dealing with our new group.”
The North East Landlords Group is hosting an event for landlords and property investors on 3 July and it will be South of the Tyne. For more information contact Martin Wardle: mwardle@robson-laidler.co.uk or ring: 0191 281 8191.
