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 17 April 2007. The insurance quote was based on the same property, same circumstances etc. Policies differ slightly so you should check policy documents for a full accurate comparison (although from the research carried out, the Guild policy contained all similar details plus extra benefits)
| Question / scenario | Guild of Residential Landlords | National Landlords Association | Residential Landlords Association | NFRL (formerly SPLA) |
| Annual subscription private landlords | £70.00 no joining fee, individual or joint membership | £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 | £75.00 single membership, £82.50 joint membership |
| Is subscription charge tax deductible? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cost of buildings insurance on normal 3 storey house let to students, £100,000 rebuild, £250.00 excess. Inc. IPT. Usual liability, malicious damage etc. (postcode was HG1 but with Guild policy postcodes make no difference) | £120.00 if total portfolio under £1m £105.00 if total portfolio £1m+ £103.00 if total portfolio £3m+, |
£150.97 (£500.00 excess) | £181.44 | £148.00 (based on £1.48 per thousand on website info) |
| 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 | Yes, Monday and Wednesday afternoon. Thursday and Friday speak to fellow member with a sympathetic ear, Tuesday mornings tax advisor, Wednesday mornings legal advisor |
| Live chat help on website direct to legal advisor | Yes | No | No | No |
| Tenant vetting | Yes £4.95 + VAT | Yes £6.00 + VAT | Yes £10.00 | Yes £7.00 |
| Debt Collection | Yes £25.00 + VAT + 7.5% only on anything collected |
No | No |
No |
| Ability to obtain (free) any piece of legislation as amended and currently in force | Yes (normally you would only need the appropriate sections but if you want the whole Act or Statutory Instrument you can have it!) | No | No | No |
| Does assured shorthold tenancy agreement supplied by association comply with initial requirements of each scheme (by containing specific clauses) and provide a section 213 notice, providing all prescribed information required by The Housing (Tenancy Deposits) (Prescribed Information) Order 2007 | Yes | No (April 07 AST does not contain clauses that are required by individual scheme rules. You would need to amend the AST and put in the appropriate clause(s) as necessary. You will also need to provide a section 213 notice (prescribed information) which is not provided for each scheme) | No (April 07 AST does not contain clauses that are required by individual scheme rules. You would need to amend the AST and put in the appropriate clause(s) as necessary. You will also need to provide a section 213 notice (prescribed information) which is not provided for each scheme) | No (April 07 AST does not contain clauses that are required by individual scheme rules. You would need to amend the AST and put in the appropriate clause(s) as necessary. You will also need to provide a section 213 notice (prescribed information) which is not provided for each scheme) |
| Downloadable stationery (tenancy agreements, notices etc.) | Yes | Via Lawpack (discount) | Yes | Not sure |
| Section 213 notice providing all prescribed information for each tenancy deposit scheme | Yes (included free with AST when downloaded) | No | No | No |
| Confirmation certificate for relevant person as required by rule 13 b & c Deposit Protection Service rules | Yes | No | No | No |
| Downloadable inventory template | Yes | No | No | No |
| Common Law tenancy agreement for resident landlords, company lets | Yes | No | Company let only | No |
| Excluded licence agreement (lodger in own home) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Assured Shorthold rent book | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Receipt for deposit/reservation fee | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Receipt for admin. fees (where landlord not taking a deposit) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Rent card | Yes | No | No | No |
| Section 48 Notice | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Application for accommodation | Yes | "Tenant particulars sheet" | Yes | No |
| Section 8 notice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Info not available |
| Notice to quit | Yes | No | No | No |
| Section 21(1)(b) 2 months notice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Info not available |
| Section 21(4)(a) notice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Info not available |
| Notice by tenant to landlord | Yes | No | No | No |
| Notice proposing new terms | Yes | No | No | No |
| All necessary court forms | Yes | No | Couldn't check but think so | No |
| Section 13 (rent increase form) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| No pets notice | Yes | No | No | No |
| No portable gas fires notice | Yes | No | No | No |
| Condensation and mould growth leaflet | Yes | No | No | No |
| Guarantee for tenancy | Yes (included in agreements or available separate) | Yes | "guarantee letter"? | No |
| Standing order (tenant to landlord) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Notice under Regulation 95 Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (eight weeks arrears) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Criminal Record Declaration | Yes | No | No | No |
| Application to be guarantor | Yes | No | No | No |
| Notice to increase rent (Wales Only) | Yes | No | More than likely but not sure | No |
| Notice of intention to take over flat | Yes | No | No | No |
| Section 11 notice (notice of inspection) | Yes | In letters pack | "property inspection certificate"? | No |
| Grounds 1,2 & 3 for possession | Yes | No | No | No |
| Garage letting agreement | Yes | No | No | No |
| Assured Tenancy | Yes | No | No | No |
| Notice to impose obligation on tenant to take delivery of goods & notice of intention to sell goods | Yes | No | No | No |
| Agreement for letting a parking space | Yes | No | No | No |
| Agreement for letting storage premises | Yes | No | No | No |
| Management Regulations template | Yes | No | No | No |
| Guidance notes / factsheets available for download | Yes Vetting prospective tenants Granting an assured shorthold tenancy Taking a guarantor Service charges Gas safety checks surrendering a tenancy (notice by tenant) Applying for default summons Notice seeking possession (section 8 notice) Section 21(4)(a) notice Section 21(1)(b) notice Recording rental payments Commencing court proceedings, rent arrears Abandoned tenancies Frequency of Housing Benefit to landlords Tenants repairing obligations Guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System Electrical Safety Furniture and furnishings Gas Cooking Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989 Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 General Product Safety Regulations 2005 Water Industry Act 1991 Housing Benefit and temporary absence (prison) Recovery of overpaid housing benefit from landlord Golden rules of letting a home Licensing of HMO's Tenancy deposit schemes Death of a tenant Completing accelerated possession form Letting to minors Business tenancies, new procedure Management of HMO's Regulations Joint tenancies Goods left at premises HHSRS calculation of hazard ratings Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Fire safety in residential dwellings Granting an assured tenancy Deposit Protection Service (Custodial Scheme) Guidance |
Yes A list of government publications Choose a lawyer Council Tax leaflet List of meter suppliers How to choose a letting agent List of accountants Section 8 notice Section 9 possession?? List of mortgage lenders Gas safety guidance List of FAQ's for non-landlords Guidance for drawing up guarantor Extracts from Housing Act 1988 (Grounds) A list of books |
Yes FAQ's Trespassers Unlawful Eviction Harassment Unprotected Tenants HMO licence Tenancy deposit Guide to HHSRS Test your knowledge Training guide Suppliers guide Procedure for gaining possession Service of notices Recovering arrears Completing court papers How to complete section 8 Summary of grounds for possession Good letting tips Gas safety certificates Informing tenant of rent increase |
Yes Landlord handbook Notices and procedures guide |
| Newsletter / magazine | Yes bi- monthly and contains every landlord and tenant court case and law passed since previous issue | Yes bi-monthly | Yes bi-monthly | Yes quarterly |
| Email updates / newsletter | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Regular meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Training sessions / seminars with discounts for members | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Dedicated Buy-to-Let Mortgage service | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Dedicated overseas property service | Yes | No | No | No |
| Find a tenant service for members | Yes £40.00 | Yes £49.00 | No | No |
| Specialist advice on Residential Property Tribunals | Yes | No | No | No |
| Attendance to court with member | Yes (certain circumstances) | No | No | No |
| Attendance to Residential Property Tribunal | Yes (most circumstances) | No | No | No |