Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has confirmed he doesn’t want landlords to exit the market, in marked contrast to comments made by his national Labour colleagues in Parliament.

While MPs during the recent debate on the Renters’ Rights Bill spoke about the “unjust” PRS with some declaring it would be a good thing if small landlords were forced out, Burnham told the NRLA’s recent Landlord Conference in Birmingham (main image) that he wants to work with landlords to ensure regulation of Manchester’s rental market is as fair and effective as possible.

Burnham set out his belief that “housing is the single best investment that the UK can make, due to its social and economic benefits” and expressed his belief that we need a “mixed market” with a range of available housing.

Charter

Explaining how the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has adopted a “housing first” approach to the issue, Burnham said its Good Landlord Charter - which seeks to enshrine best practice in Manchester’s PRS - can help build trust over the long term between the GMCA and the wider landlord community around standards.

He also noted how, in addition to “isolating” bad landlords, the Charter can provide recognition for good landlords who demonstrate best practice, but whose work often goes unnoticed.

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle (pictured) says: “Andy Burnham’s pledge to collaborate with the NRLA and its members to raise standards and drive out rogue landlords from the sector was most welcome.

"We look forward to working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in its efforts to recognise the good work that the overwhelming majority of landlords do across the market.”