Independent landlords are “vital” to ensuring a fair and functioning private rented sector, the Housing Secretary says.

Writing in the members’ magazine of the National Residential Landlords Association, Michael Gove speaks of the importance of landlords in providing tenants “with flexibility and choice, and the value for money options that go with them.”

In his article he explains the government’s plans to restructure the sector following publication of the Renters Reform Bill.

Noting that there are few relationships as important as those between a landlord and tenant, he spoke of the common interests both have in a property as being: “a place that can be at the same time a home and an investment, a valued asset and precious security, a shelter and haven.” 

“It is vital”, he said, “that these relationships work for everyone, and that we strive to strike a balance for all.”

Focussing on the government proposals including ending Section 21 repossessions, the Secretary of State warns that in the minority of cases where relationships between landlords and tenants’ break down “it is important that the law is there for the victim – whether tenant or landlord.” 

Gove pledges to provide “more comprehensive grounds for landlords to recover properties” and to make it “easier to repossess them where tenants are at fault.”

He goes on to promise to improve the system where repossession cases end up in courts, citing the use of “digital platforms” as a way of speeding up the processing of legitimate repossession claims.

And he concludes by declaring that the Government looked forward to working closely with the NRLA “to shape the sector for the good of landlords, and tenants, right across the country.”

Responding to the article, NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle says: “We welcome the Housing Secretary’s commitments, and his recognition of the importance of individual landlords. As he rightly notes, the Renters (Reform) Bill needs to work for responsible landlords every bit as much as tenants. 

“Without this it will serve only to exacerbate the rental housing shortage many tenants are now facing.

“The NRLA will continue to work closely with ministers to ensure the details of the Bill work for all. This includes campaigning for improvements to the courts system to ensure landlords are not left for months on end where they have a legitimate reason to repossess a property.”