Comparison Table
Below is a comparison table to assist you in making a decision as to which landlords association you might choose. The details are accurate to the best of the authors knowledge and belief and were taken from all appropriate websites on September 2009.
| Question / scenario | Guild of Residential Landlords | National Landlords Association | Residential Landlords Association |
| Annual subscription private landlords | £70.00 no joining fee, individual or joint membership £120.00 letting agents |
£70.00 plus joining fee £18.00 (discounts for 3 years, 5 years, 10 years and lifetime) |
£75.00 on-line recurring card payment, £85.00 no recurring card payment, £95.00 by post or phone. £125.00 Limited companies, partnerships or sole traders with staff |
| Is subscription charge tax deductible? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Help-Line | Yes (dedicated local rate call, offering the most comprehensive legal advice on landlord and tenant law) | Yes ("staffed by individuals experienced in the private rented sector") | Yes |
| Discounted Buildings Insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tenant vetting | Yes £4.95 + VAT basic check | Yes from £6.00 inc VAT basic check |
Yes £10.00 |
| Does assured shorthold tenancy agreement supplied by association comply with initial requirements of each scheme and provide a section 213 notice, providing all prescribed information required by The Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Prescribed Information) Order 2007 | Yes | Don't know | Looks to be provided separately |
| Downloadable stationery (tenancy agreements, notices etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Confirmation certificate for relevant person as required by rule 13 b & c Deposit Protection Service rules | Yes | No | No |
| Downloadable inventory template | Yes | No (but inventory service available) |
No |
| Common Law tenancy agreement for resident landlords, company lets | Yes | No | Company let only |
| Excluded licence agreement (lodger in own home) | Yes | No | No |
| Assured Shorthold rent book | Yes | No | No |
| Receipt for deposit/reservation fee | Yes | No | Yes |
| Receipt for admin. fees (where landlord not taking a deposit) | Yes | No | No |
| Rent card | Yes | No | No |
| Section 48 Notice | Yes | No | Yes |
| Application for accommodation | Yes | No | Yes |
| Section 8 notice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Notice to quit | Yes | No | No |
| Section 21(1)(b) 2 months notice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Section 21(4)(a) notice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Notice by tenant to landlord | Yes | No | No |
| Notice proposing new terms | Yes | No | No |
| All necessary court forms | Yes | court forms available |
Couldn't check but think so |
| Section 13 (rent increase form) (England) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No pets notice | Yes | No | No |
| No portable gas fires notice | Yes | No | No |
| Condensation and mould growth leaflet | Yes | No | No |
| Guarantee for tenancy | Yes (included in agreements or available separate) | Letters of guarantee |
"guarantee letter"? |
| Standing order (tenant to landlord) | Yes | No | No |
| Notice under Regulation 95 Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (eight weeks arrears) | Yes | No | No |
| Criminal Record Declaration | Yes | No | No |
| Application to be guarantor | Yes | No | No |
| Notice to increase rent (Wales Only) | Yes | No | More than likely but not sure |
| Notice of intention to take over flat | Yes | No | No |
| Section 11 notice (notice of inspection) | Yes | No | "property inspection certificate"? |
| Grounds 1,2 & 3 for possession | Yes | No | No |
| Garage letting agreement | Yes | No | No |
| Assured Tenancy | Yes | No | No |
| Notice to impose obligation on tenant to take delivery of goods & notice of intention to sell goods | Yes | No | No |
| Agreement for letting a parking space | Yes | No | No |
| Agreement for letting storage premises | Yes | No | No |
| Management Regulations template | Yes | No | No |
| Guidance notes / factsheets available for download |
Yes |
Yes Definition of an HMO HMO Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Guide to HMO licensing Appealing against HMO Licensing decisions HMO Licensing Procedure Free Court Leaflets Court Forms Council Tax Finding Legal Advice Appealing against Enforcement Notices Selective Licensing in Areas of Low Demand Management Orders, Empty Dwellings Orders and Overcrowding Notices Renewal fees update Cannabis factories - a growing problem Digital TV switchover Energy Efficiency Finding and Using an Agent Fire Safety Logbook Free Publications for Landlords Getting Ready For Winter Gas Safety Housing Health and Safety Rating System Product recall and safety notices Can you spot a bad tenant? Finding and Using an Agent Tenancy Deposit Protection Tenant Particulars: proforma & guidance notes (PDF file) What to do if your tenant becomes unemployed Finance for Property Let Landlords find it harder to get finance Council Tax
|
Yes Ten Legal Musts for Landlords Electrical Safety Fire Safety Gas Safety RLA Guide to HHSRS Repairs & Maintenance RLA Guide to Risk Assessment RLA Housing Act Guide HMO: What is an HMO ? HMO: HMOs and Licensing HMO: Key Definition RLA Good Letting Tips RLA Guide to EPC Gas Safety Certificates ANUK Development Manual How To Complete The RLA AST The Perfect Tenancy Agreement Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies Licences RLA Guide to Tenancy Deposits RLA Tenancy Deposit Scheme Overview RLA Guide to Possession & Small Claims Rent Arrears FAQ Service of Notices Completing Court Papers Unprotected Tenants Unlawful Eviction Harassment Trespassers RLA Lobbying Guide |
| On-line legal resources and guidance available to members | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Newsletter / magazine | Yes quarterly | Yes bi-monthly | Yes bi-monthly |
| Email updates / newsletter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Regular meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Training sessions / seminars with discounts for members | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Buy-to-Let Mortgage service | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Overseas property service | Yes | No | No |
| Specialist advice on Residential Property Tribunals | Yes | No | No |
| Attendance to court with member | Yes (certain circumstances) | No | Certain circumstances I believe |
| Attendance to Residential Property Tribunal | Yes (certain circumstances) | No | No |
| Representations on a national level | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rent Guarantee Insurance | Coming soon, hopefully £48.00 (6 months cover) other options and 12 months will be available | Yes, £57.75 6 months cover (plus other options and 12 months available) | Yes, no fixed price shown |
| Tenancy / property management software | Yes £45.00 private landlord, £95.00 small agent edition | No | Yes, £49.00 or free? |
| Energy Performance Certificates | £58.00 +VAT | £59.00 inc VAT | £65.00 up to 5 bedrooms, £76.00 6 to 8 bedrooms |
| Suggested letters for scenarios like housing benefit claims for compensation / appeals and suggested witness statements for court submission etc. | Yes | No | No |
