BRLA ABOUT
ABOUT BRLA
Barnsley RLA was established to ensure all members keep abreast of new legislation in the rapidly changing private rented sector.
- Founded in 1996 and run by volunteer landlords for Landlords
- Promoting the Private Rented Sector as a major source of good quality housing in the Barnsley area
- Networking and advice throughout the sector
- Updates of latest legislation changes
- Monthly meetings with relevant presentations
- Continual professional development
- WhatsApp group for information and trades recommendations
- Free NRLA quarterly magazine
Through regular meetings and presentations, the Association has has grown considerably since it was first established in 1996, helping and encouraging members to continue professional development, improve the quality of properties, keep up to date with new and changing legislation, and improve management skills.
Members are advised regarding legal standards for insulation, safety and security, enabling rental businesses to be run in a fair, responsible and professional manner.
The Association is for Barnsley landlords wishing to improve property and management skills and share these for mutual benefit. All members are equally welcome and valued regardless of portfolio type or size.
BRLA functions on a voluntary basis and is managed by experienced volunteer members. The Committee is subject to re-election each year and looks after the Association’s affairs in a professional manner.
BRLA has strong relationships with Barnsley Council, the Housing Benefit Department, The Rent Service, the Police and Fire Services.
Meetings are held monthly at Shaw Lane Sports Centre, Barnsley. Relevant topics are discussed, and guest speakers are invited to give presentations on subjects of interest. Tenant and management issues can be discussed with experienced landlords at this time.
Membership of BRLA is open to private landlords owning and managing their own properties. Please note that managing agents and letting agents have their own professional associations and are not admitted as members of BRLA.
For more information about membership and other benefits available please view our Membership section.
AIMS & objectives
TO PROMOTE A VIABLE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY RENTED HOUSING WITHIN THE BARNSLEY AREA.
BRLA and its members will conduct their activities employing fair and non-discriminatory practices, accepting independent mediation and arbitration and abiding by reasonable regulation.
To be the reasoned voice of the private landlord; to speak out with authority on behalf of members; to communicate their views to all external bodies within the sector including government, local authorities, voluntary groups and tenants, and in so doing, assist private landlords by achieving:
Fairness
There should be an equitable legislative balance between the private residential landlord and the private tenant and between landlord and enforcement agencies.
Mediation
Differences and disputes between landlord and occupier should be settled amicably wherever possible and litigation should be considered only as a last resort.
Honesty
Landlords, tenants, local authorities and housing agencies should not exploit or take advantage of innocent mistakes made by the other party.
Truth
The image and integrity of the private rented sector should be based on facts, not anecdotes.
Quality
Standards that are maintained by good practice
brief history of brla
Beginning in 1996 as a small meeting of like-minded Barnsley landlords, BRLA quickly expanded.
During early 1996 Barnsley Council invited local landlords to an informal seminar held at the now demolished library in Shambles Street. The purpose of the seminar was to foster closer and more cordial links between the Council and landlords. The event proved productive, however, a small group of Doncaster landlords created a rather resentful atmosphere and the meeting closed on an inconclusive note. Immediately afterwards, a small group of Barnsley landlords met to reflect on the seminar outcome and agreed to meet at the then Royal Hotel to explore the possibility of forming an association of local landlords.
In the ensuing months regular monthly meetings were held and gradually new members joined until the small meeting room made available at the Royal became too small to accommodate the increasing membership. At this time, management at the Royal changed hands and the room we were offered was no longer available.
An opportunity arose to use a the lounge bar at the Friendship Hotel at Gawber and meetings continued there for a couple of years or so until we moved our venue to the Keresforth Hall Hotel and following its closure we moved our meetings (after holding two meetings at the Shaw Inn) to the Conservative Club in Pitt Street. This venue was an ideal meeting place with good car parking and refreshment facilities, however, the Club steward had a differing view and we moved our meetings to the Shaw Lane Sports Centre where we have the benefit of a stable and welcoming host. Throughout this period, we continued to see our membership grow and prosper.
From our very first meetings it has been our aim to organise regular interesting and varied speakers covering a range of topics in order to improve management techniques and understanding of property letting. From time to time engaged the services of a local solicitor, an expert in property law, to draft our own bespoke tenancy agreement. During this time we also decided to develop our own accreditation scheme and in collaboration with the Council, we produced a very credible and effective scheme which, subject to occasional updates, is still currently in use.
latest news
from barnsley rla
BREAKING: Landlords ‘to be given three more years’ to reach EPC minimum
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had previously proposed a deadline of 2025 for newly-let rentals to achieve an energy performance rating of at least