NLA - Retrospective AST threshold increase is highly regrettable

Government plans to retrospectively increase the threshold for assured short-hold tenancy (AST) agreements are "highly regrettable".

This is the view of the National Landlords Association (NLA), which said the retrospective nature of the increase could have "a wide-ranging impact on the letting of private residential property".

The comments follow the revelation that the AST threshold will rise to £100,000 on October 1st this year.

As the increase will apply retrospectively, any tenancy with annual rent of between £25,000 and £100,000 will instantly become an AST on that date.

Commenting on the move, NLA chairman David Salusbury, said: "The NLA believes the government is rushing through this change without fully thinking through the consequences.

"We call for greater consultation to ensure this measure does not have a negative impact on the private-rented sector."

Mr Salusbury also claimed the move will mean landlords and tenants will no longer have the option of negotiating individual terms for their contracts.

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