There is still no set date for the merger between the UK’s two landlord bodies.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) and Residential Landlords Association (RLA) intended to merge in January but this was delayed while technicalities were addressed.

Chris Norris, director of policy and practice at the NLA, told EYE yesterday that the final items of legal due diligence were still being finalised.

He said: “Unfortunately, I am not able to provide a specific timetable for the merger as we do not have complete certainty over when the legal transfer will take place.

“At present we are finalising the last items of due diligence and expect our respective boards to be able to complete the legal merger very shortly.”

He said there was no particular issue holding it up, adding: “The fact is that the legal due diligence has taken a little longer than either organisation expected.

“Our priority remains ensuring that the best interests of both sets of members are protected, and with that in mind we will only move to the new organisation when all parties are confident that there will be no reduction in the service they receive.”

As part of the agreement, Ben Beadle was appointed to become chief executive of the merged group, replacing both Andrew Dixon at the RLA and Richard Lambert at the NLA.

Dixon has since departed but Lambert is still working with Beadle on the merger.