“Quicker, simpler and clearer rules” are needed to help UK businesses navigate landlord and tenant legislation, according to a survey undertaken by the Property Litigation Association (PLA).
The association’s survey of its 1,600 members found the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 still strikes a “fair balance between landlords and tenants,” however, the survey found there is an “urgent need to streamline the process to enable economic growth”. The findings of the PLA survey comes in the wake of the government’s announcement this week that it intends to review the act, which has not been updated since 2004.
The PLA said that since the act was last updated there has been a “huge shift in the relationship between landlords and tenants” with the introduction of shorter lease terms, harsher trading conditions, the digital revolution and wider changes in working and shopping practices, which have all put strains on the system.
Dellah Gilbert, chair of the PLA and partner at Maples Teesdale LLP, said: “The system is not broken, but it still needs fixing. What a review must ensure is that it makes the system quicker, clearer and simpler. With the economy wobbling we need the right processes in place to create an efficient environment that allows business to flourish. This study is an essential contribution towards the development of a fairer legal framework that better serves property owners, occupiers, the economy and the environment.”
Paul Tonkin, chair of the PLA’s law reform committee and partner at Hogan Lovells International LLP, added: “This is one of the most important studies the PLA has ever undertaken. What we can see is while there are still questions over some specific parts of the Act, it is still fit for purpose and provides a fair playing ground between landlords and tenants.
“Given everything that businesses have been through in recent years, the study is sure to bring some interesting experiences to light – which we look forward to sharing with policymakers and the wider industry.”
The PLA said that on the back of the study it intends to produce an independent, evidence-based report including analysis and recommendations for policymakers.
