The first meeting has been held of the Housing Coalition, a new group including Propertymark and some landlord bodies.

A statement from Propertymark says the Housing Coalition allows “a collaborative voice to improve standards within the sector, make private renting fairer for the benefit of landlords, agents, and tenants alike and to provide an environment for landlords and agents to support housing needs.”

So far, in addition to Propertymark, the group includes Possession Friend; iHowz; North East Landlords Association; SafeAgent, Property 118; Property Tribes; and a selection of county and city landlord groups.

Tim Thomas, a policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Propertymark and other leading sector organisations, forums and landlord associations to collaborate and make sure that our voices are heard when it comes to reforming the private rental sector. 

“There is so much more work that needs to be done on improving standards, legal and court reform, and the upcoming Renters Reform Bill.”

The first meeting of the group was addressed by a Tory MP – Andrew Lewer, the Conservative MP for Northampton South, member of the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Private Rented Sector.