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Written by Emma Lunn

A new voluntary register, whereby landlords can choose to supply contact details for their tenants to a central database, has been announced by environment secretary Owen Paterson.
 
The aim of the database is to allow water companies to pursue tenants who have moved out of properties, leaving water bills unpaid. Households currently pay an extra £15 on their water bills to cover the cost of those who do not pay.

The new register is designed to get rid of this charge by making sure tenants cannot escape paying their charges. The move was welcomed by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

The proposal is in contrast to that being suggested by the Welsh Government which wants to make landlords legally responsible for providing such information or face having to pay the debt left by their tenants.

A survey of RLA members in Wales found that all of those who responded opposed making such a measure a legal requirement for landlords. 63% however already provided information on a voluntary basis whilst almost 80% said they would support a voluntary scheme such as that being suggested by the UK Government.

Commenting on the environment secretary’s statement RLA policy director Richard Jones said:

“Landlords recognise the cost of living pressures that tenants face. That’s why official figures show that rents have increased by less than the rate of inflation over the past eight years.

“Making landlords legally liable for the debt incurred on water bills where they did not pass on their tenants details to water companies would serve only to add to the creaking weight of regulations already affecting the sector and lead to increased rents to reflect the greater risks involved.

“Whilst it is vital that the technology to implement the scheme is properly tested and thought through first, the RLA welcomes the Government’s decision to opt for a lighter touch, voluntary solution that the majority of landlords already abide by.”

Comments

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    Given the way the water company has been ripping me off.

    Charging me for water even though the property is empty and between lets.

    I am sure they will want landlord to provide them with forwarding address, but they will not return the favour..

    • 12 November 2013 00:48 AM
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