Mynlalandlord.org.uk has been designed by the NLA to allow tenants to check whether their landlord abides by the highest standards of residential property letting.
David Salusbury, Chairman of the NLA, said that the database provides tenants "with a level of security that a landlord is bound by certain standards of practice".
He added that landlords can show they are reputable by putting their names on the list.
But Landlord Assist, says that the £88 membership cost (including annual fee and joining fee) to feature on the list is simply another cost to many already struggling landlords.
Landlord Assist argues that there are thousands of very good landlords who are not members of the scheme and yet provide a superb level of service to their tenants.
Indeed Landlord Assist believes many non-member landlords who are not featured on the list may in the future be at a disadvantage in the fight to secure tenants.
Graham Kinnear, MD at Landlord Assist is already concerned at the costs facing landlords.
He says: “With a gas safety inspection, energy performance certificate, inventory, letting fee, HMO Licence, electricity check and agents commission to pay for, landlords already have enough to spend their money on, particularly in the current climate where rents have actually dipped as a result of over supply in some areas.”
Landlord Assist maintain that there is sufficient legislation in place to ensure that a landlord takes their responsibilities seriously and provides safe, quality accommodation to tenants and the provision of a member website will not assist the situation nor, in the view of Landlord Assist, make a rogue landlord suddenly adhere to legislation.
Stephen Parry, Commercial Director at Landlord Assist says: “Many letting agents throughout the UK have Landlord Assist approved status through their provision of our tenant referencing service and tenant eviction process. It would be unfair for us to state that they are the top agents in the country just because they partner with us and this web database is the same. Meet your landlord, ask friends for recommendations, ask the local authority their thoughts on a prospective landlord in your area and should things not work out then there is already a raft of legislation in place that will protect the consumer.”
