VOLA's Views
VOLA supports the Eastern Landlords Associations rejection of Licensing and calls on the secretary of state to halt ALL selective licensing pending full implementation of the RRA
Joint letter from VOLA – The Voice of Landlords Association & ELA - Eastern Landlords Association
The Eastern Landlords Association is fighting Selective licensing in the borough of Great Yarmouth and VOLA has signed and supports its letter to the secretary of state requesting a full review of the scheme proposed for Great Yarmouth, but also called for a halt of ALL selective licensing schemes pending the full implementation of the Renters Rights Act. An excerpt of the letter is below but the full version can be viewed by clicking the link at the bottom of this section.
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To:
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
Rupert Lowe MP, Great Yarmouth
Re: Unlawful implementation of Selective Licensing Scheme in Great Yarmouth
Dear Sir/Madam
I write further to my previous letter as new evidence and information has come to light – evidence which was actively withheld during the public consultation and right through until less than 3 hours before the council vote on implementing selective licensing across a huge section of Great Yarmouth
In our previous letter we made it clear that we consider that the proposed scheme falls short of the mandatory requirements set out in the Government's statutory guidance on selective licensing in the private rented sector (Housing Act 2004, Part 3) and associated best practice which ultimately means that the scheme should not be approved by council members. Any decision to implement the scheme as drafted will, we maintain, be challengeable. This letter was ignored and the council approved the scheme.
On the day of the council meeting to approve selective licensing, finally the modelling data, used as evidence for the basis of imposing licensing, was publicised and made available for scrutiny just a few hours before the final council vote. Refusal to provide this during consultation is a breach of the duty to consult fairly and transparently as detailed in the local government guidance here: https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/The%20Gunning%20Principles.pdf
This supports our belief that the scheme is unlawful, particularly given that similar selective licensing schemes have previously been found unlawful by the courts when statutory requirements were not met. R (Peat & Others) v Hyndburn Borough Council / R (Regas) v London Borough of Enfield
Furthermore, in response to the communication from landlords and Rupert Lowe MP, the council confirmed that the licensing implementation is simply to raise funds for the council to utilise & enforce the powers they already have. This is a contravention of the Housing Act and undermines the principles behind selective licencing and supports our belief that the scheme is unlawful. GYBC council’s explanation as to why they don’t use existing powers and the real reasons for implementing selective licencing in the area:
“Existing Enforcement Powers. The council does have existing enforcement powers. However, selective licensing will provide the resources, through the licence fee, to enable a pro-active inspection programme to be carried out and for compliance checks in connection with gas and electrical safety to be carried out. The council would not otherwise have the resources to do this so would be unable to make full use of its powers.”
Selective licensing is not a discretionary power that can be exercised without compliance with the law. The Housing Act 2004 and accompanying guidance require local authorities to:
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Demonstrate that the area meets statutory criteria (e.g., low housing demand, significant antisocial behaviour, poor property conditions).
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Conduct a full and transparent public consultation at a formative stage, supplying sufficient information for intelligent consideration.
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Publish an Equality Impact Assessment and consider human rights implications.
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Assess alternatives and justify why less intrusive measures are inadequate
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Consideration for National Insurance on Rental income
Statement from VOLA – The Voice of Landlords Association
As the representative body for landlord associations, representing around 53,000 landlords across the United Kingdom, VOLA expresses its unequivocal opposition to the Chancellor’s reported consideration to extend National Insurance contributions to rental income.
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Rental income is already subject to one of the most punitive tax regimes in the UK. Landlords currently face income tax on rental earnings, capital gains tax on property sales, increased stamp duty on purchases, and restrictions on mortgage interest relief. The proposed expansion of National Insurance, (typically levied at 8% on employee earnings) to include rental income, which is presently exempt, would represent a significant and disproportionate financial burden on landlords.
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This move, reportedly aimed at addressing a £40 billion fiscal shortfall, could raise £2/3 billion annually. However, it risks triggering unintended consequences including potentially increased rents for tenants, reduced investment in the private rental sector, and a further decline in the availability of affordable private rented housing. Estate agents and housing experts have already warned that such speculation is dampening market confidence and slowing housing activity.
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VOLA stands firmly in support of the many responsible and committed landlords who provide safe, secure, and essential housing to millions of private renters across Britain. Penalising these providers with yet more taxation undermines their role in alleviating the UK’s housing crisis and discourages future investment in rental properties.
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We urge the Chancellor to abandon this option entirely and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that fiscal policy does not jeopardise housing stability or punish those who contribute positively to the rental market.
Call for the new Secretary of State for housing to pause and consider the implications of the RRB
Statement from VOLA – The Voice of Landlords Association
As the representative body for landlord associations across the UK, VOLA urges the government to pause and reassess the final stages of the Renters’ Rights Bill. While we support the principle of strengthening tenant protections, the current trajectory of the bill risks destabilising the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and exacerbating the housing crisis.
Key Concerns
1. Shrinking PRS Supply and Landlord Exodus
Over 250,000 rental properties have exited the PRS since 2017. Regulatory uncertainty and financial pressures are accelerating this trend. According to Propertymark, 30% of landlords plan to reduce their portfolios or leave the sector entirely if the bill passes in its current form.
2. Rent Inflation Driven by Supply Constraints
Private rents rose by 6.4% in the 12 months to July 2025—the highest annual increase on record. This is not driven by profiteering, but by a mismatch between supply and demand, increased taxation, and policy uncertainty. The bill introduces further unknowns that could worsen affordability.
3. Tenant Impact and Risk of Homelessness
Reduced PRS capacity is already affecting vulnerable tenants. Temporary accommodation figures reached 123,000 households in mid-2024, costing local authorities £2.1 billion annually. Without sufficient PRS stock, tenant security may paradoxically decline.
4. Student and Commercial Tenancies at Risk
Ambiguities in the bill regarding student lets and commercial leaseholders who sublet residential units could remove thousands of homes from the market—particularly in university towns and high street locations.
5. Enforcement Overreach and Erosion of Trust
Provisions allowing local authorities to enter PRS properties without prior notice risk alienating responsible landlords and discouraging investment.
Our Recommendations
We respectfully call on the Secretary of State to:
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Pause the legislative process for a full impact assessment and stakeholder consultation.
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Reconsider key provisions, including the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and the handling of Section 21.
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Introduce transitional measures to prevent further destabilisation.
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Establish a cross-sector working group to develop a balanced framework that protects tenants without penalising landlords.
The PRS accommodates over 4.6 million households and is a vital pillar of the UK’s housing ecosystem. A fair and functional PRS benefits tenants, landlords, and communities alike. We urge the government to act decisively to avoid unintended consequences and ensure the bill delivers on its promises without undermining housing supply.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your team to discuss these concerns further.
Yours sincerely,
VOLA – Voice of Landlords Associations
VOLA's response to the Green Party voting to 'Abolish' Landlords
VOLA Statement on Green Party Proposal to Abolish Landlords
The Voice of Landlords Associations (VOLA) expresses deep concern and strong opposition to the Green Party’s recent announcement proposing the abolition of landlords in the UK.
This policy, if pursued, would have far-reaching and devastating consequences—not only for landlords, but for millions of tenants who rely on the private rental sector for safe, flexible, and accessible housing. The proposal raises urgent questions: Where will these tenants live? What alternative housing solutions does the Green Party propose? How will the transition be managed without causing mass displacement and instability?
The private rental sector currently houses over 4 million households. Abolishing landlords without a clear, viable replacement plan risks creating a housing crisis of unprecedented scale. VOLA urges the Green Party to clarify how they intend to house these individuals and families, and whether they have considered the logistical, financial, and social implications of such a move.
Furthermore, this policy could have a catastrophic impact on the housing market. Many homeowners—particularly first-time buyers—have worked tirelessly to get on the property ladder. If property values collapse due to sudden market disruption, thousands could face negative equity, financial hardship, and loss of security.
VOLA believes this proposal is reckless and ill-considered. It disregards the contributions of responsible landlords who provide essential housing, maintain properties, and support communities. We call on the Green Party to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, including landlords, tenants, housing experts, and local authorities, to develop policies that improve housing outcomes without destabilising the market.
We remain committed to advocating for fair, balanced, and sustainable housing policies that protect both tenants and property owners.