The Residential Landlords Association has urged the government not to rush into making 3-year tenancies mandatory for private landlords.
Communities secretary James Brokenshire reportedly backed calls to make them mandatory across England and Wales, with a consultation on longer tenancies closing on 26 August.
But the RLA said: “It would be highly irregular for the government to make an announcement on longer tenancies next week before the consultation has even closed and it has had chance to properly consider all responses.
“As well as showing disregard for recognised procedure, it would suggest that the government does not want to listen to those who will be directly affected by any change.”
“The government should work with landlords to introduce change that improves the rental process for both landlords and tenants, otherwise there is a danger that even more landlords will leave the sector which is already shrinking.”
The RLA said it supports longer tenancies in the sector but is against imposing them as the norm.
The majority of landlords (57%) believe the use of financial incentives such as tax relief would be the best way to ensure they offer longer-term tenancies to those that want them.
