The government appears to be trying to push its controversial idea to allow much more tenant-led sub-letting of private rented property into the political long grass.

The Residential Landlords Association – one of many industry bodies concerned at the proposal, floated shortly before the general election – has now met with housing minister Brandon Lewis about the idea. 

The RLA says Lewis outlined a number of proposals to be introduced concerning the private rental sector but that consultation on the sub-letting idea would not be started until the next session of Parliament – May 2016 at the earliest.

The RLA has previously slammed the scheme as a nightmare. It had been revealed in the small print of the Spring Budget; it would make it illegal for private sector tenancy agreements to include clauses that prevent the sub-letting of the property.

The measures on sub-letting are a nightmare in the making and smack of ‘back of the fag packet’ policy making claims RLA chairman Alan Ward. 

Now, it appears, the idea may be sliding into oblivion.