Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

The country''s landlords may be confused by the conflicting signals they are receiving from UK ministers, according to one expert from the National Landlords Association (NLA).

John Healey, the government''s housing minister, has recently outlined a number of potential measures which he believes could help to improve the standards of service within the private rented sector.

Among these proposals is the possible creation of a national register for those letting property.

However, NLA chairman David Salusbury has noted that his organisation is concerned about the dangers that over-regulation could pose to landlords.

In relation to the government''s proposals, he commented: "At the same time as having to provide more accommodation in order to plug the housing gap, landlords are also now expected to be on a register [and] declare the addresses of their rental properties."

Mr Salusbury believes that it is councils, rather than extra regulations, which are likely to help tackle rogue property owners effectively.