The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has, at this year’s National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) 2024 Landlord Conference, confirmed that he wants to work with landlords to ensure regulation of Manchester’s rental market is as fair and effective as possible.

Speaking to a packed auditorium of NRLA members and third-party organisations from across the private rented sector (PRS), Burnham set out his belief that “housing is the single best investment that the UK can make, due to its social and economic benefits”. He also expressed his belief that we need a “mixed market” with respect to the range of available housing.

Explaining how the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has adopted a “housing first” approach to this issue, Burnham thanked the NRLA for its assistance in helping shape the Good Landlord Charter, which seeks to enshrine best practice in Manchester’s PRS.

Burnham confirmed that he does nlot want landlords to exit the market, and that the Good Landlord Charter can help build trust over the long term between the GMCA and the wider landlord community as regards the issue of standards in the sector.

He also noted how, in addition to “isolating” bad landlords, the Charter can provide recognition for good landlords who currently demonstrate best practice, but whose work often goes unnoticed.

The NRLA’s 2024 conference – which had 1,000 attendees throughout the course of the day – was chaired by DIY SOS’ Nick Knowles, and also featured contributions from keynote speaker James Caan.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “It was a pleasure to meet with so many of our excellent NRLA members at what was our most successful conference yet. Our speakers provided many fantastic insights to our attendees on how they can continue to do what they do best – deliver much-needed top quality private rented accommodation for tenants.

“Andy Burnham’s pledge to collaborate with the NRLA and its members to raise standards and drive out rogue landlords from the sector was also most welcome. We look forward to working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in its efforts to recognise the good work that the overwhelming majority of landlords do across the market.”