Private sector landlords flocking to Ashford forum

There’s still time for private sector landlords to book their place at a not-to-be-missed event for landlords and property professionals organised by Ashford Borough Council’s ABC Lettings service and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).

More than 70 landlords have already booked a seat at the annual forum, which is being held amid an increase in the number of private landlords selling their rental properties with a view to leaving the market. The sector has experienced many changes in recent years, and we continue to see a fall in the number of landlords due to increased regulatory pressures.

The unfavourable state of the market for investors has also caused many to exit the sector.

Rent rises have been driven by increases in the Bank of England Base Rate, with Buy to Let mortgage products being removed from sale and repriced at higher rates. Many landlords are struggling to offset these higher mortgage rates and are taking the decision to leave the market altogether or to reduce the number of properties they let to tenants.

At the forum ABC Lettings will outline the services it can offer, while the NRLA will update landlords on legislative changes which will impact how they run their businesses and deal with tenants.

How to book your place

The event takes place on Wednesday 21 February from 9.30am-3.30pm at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce at Ashford Business Point in Ashford. To find out more about the forum and how to book a free place, landlords should visit the NRLA website at

https://www.nrla.org.uk/events/meetings/5944

ABC Lettings working with landlords

ABC Lettings works with private sector landlords to help tackle homelessness across the borough. It works tirelessly to attract new landlords, offering a fully managed service for landlords who want a low risk hands off management service. For experienced landlords it offers a tenant find service.

Victoria Henham of ABC Lettings said: “We have tenants who are ready to move into a landlord’s rented properties and we can offer a flexible package to suit each landlord’s needs. Our main focus is to ensure that local people who might otherwise face becoming homeless are given the opportunity to make a longer term home for themselves in the private rented sector, backed by all the experience and support that the local authority can provide”

ABC Lettings, which manages more than 200 properties across Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, says it offers landlords a no hassle, no hidden cost lettings service – and all from an organisation which is not motivated by profit and which has a reputation for a careful and considered approach.

For more information about ABC Lettings call 01233 330811 or email abclettings@ashford.gov.uk

About the NRLA

The National Residential Landlords Association is the UK's largest membership organisation for private residential landlords, supporting and representing over 100,000 members. The association was created from the merger of the RLA and NLA in April 2020.

NRLA members range from full-time landlords running property portfolios to those letting single bedroom flats. Whatever their status, most landlords face the same regulatory and legal challenges, with over 150 pieces of legislation creating hundreds of legal obligations for the private residential lettings sector.

We help our members navigate these challenges and proudly offer some of the most comprehensive learning resources and market-leading intelligence available in the sector.