PDPLA Rules and Code of Practice Updated
At our committee meeting this month (via Zoom) we agreed changes and updates to the Code of Practice which all members must abide by and the Association Rules which define how we operate. The key changes bring the documents up to date, as it is many years since the rules were reviewed and times have changed, consolidates the complaints procedure which was defined in both documents and positions us for the forthcoming affiliation with the NRLA.
Main Changes
The rules document has not been updated in the last 10-15 years and still reflected members applying to join, their application being reviewed at the next member meeting and then membership being approved etc at some point after. All of this has now been updated to reflect the fact that like most Associations, members now join online, are automatically accepted, pay via direct debit and only have their membership questioned if they breach the rules.
The process for doing that appeared in slightly different forms in both the Association Rules and the Code of Practice. We have taken the opportunity of writing the complaint process entirely in the rules and then referencing it in the Code of Practice.
The other significant changes prepare us for our forthcoming affiliation with the NRLA and allows us to specify which of the PDPLA member benefits will be available to NRLA members - so for example, they will be able to attend our meetings or use our website, but they will not be able to vote on the running or operation of the PDPLA.
See both documents here: Code of Practice and Association Rules
About the author
Martin began his landlord journey 30 years ago, while working in an international role for a global telecommunications company. Since retiring he has extended his portfolio, which he manages with his wife, but has always focussed on the ‘small student HMO’ sector preferring to offer homes in the community for small groups to the more common ‘pack them in and take the money’ mentality. He has chaired the PDPLA for the past 12 years and has overseen the Associations transition from small local self-help group to a much larger and more professional institution which is recognised and listened to nationally. Alongside his PDPLA role, he also has leadership roles in a number of other local organisations – bringing his unique perspective, driving for change and increased use of technology while respecting the history that brought us here.