8
Dec
NLA calls for Local Housing Allowance shake-up
The National Landlords Association (NLA) has called on the
government to make wholesale changes to the Local Housing Allowance
(LHA).
Representing private residential landlords across the UK, the NLA
is pushing for a reform of the LHA system.
According to the NLA, landlords are coming under increasing
financial pressure because tenants are failing to pass on rent
payments.
It estimated that total rent arrears across the country relating to
the LHA could be £220 million, with individual landlords
taking on an average of £4,400 each.
NLA chairman David Salusbury said that the government should bring
forward its planned review of the LHA.
"If ministers are serious about the importance of the contribution
the private-rented sector makes to the housing mix, then tenants'
right to choose to have their housing benefit paid direct to their
landlords must be reinstated immediately," he asserted.
The NLA hopes that its calls will be heard ahead of the
chancellor's pre-budget report, which is expected on December
9th.
Commentators anticipate that the recession and the forthcoming
general election will dominate the paper.
