Our relationship with LT4L: an NRLA statement

After receiving a number of queries from NRLA members and non-members alike concerning the NRLA's relationship with Less Tax 4 Landlords (LT4L), our Chief Executive Ben Beadle has issued a statement responding to those who have made contact with us.

If you are affected by the HMRC investigation into hybrid tax schemes in any way, we are keen to hear from you. If you would like to share your experiences, please do complete the digital form which can be accessed here.

In response to those asking about the NRLA's connections with Less Tax 4 Landlords, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, National Residential Landlords Association, said:

"I have been contacted by a small number of landlords, eager to understand the NRLA’s position in relation to Spotlight 63 and those affected as clients of Less Tax 4 Landlords.  

"I am not in a position to answer all of the points raised here. As I am sure you will understand, where legal proceedings are a possibility a great deal of care must be taken not to mislead or to provoke misunderstandings. 

"I would however, like to respond to incorrect assertions made about the NRLA’s past relationship with Less Tax 4 Landlords.  

"It has been suggested that the NRLA acted as introducer for the firm, receiving in return affiliate fees or commissions related to those members who opted to use their services. This was never the case.  

"Less Tax for Landlords was a member of the NRLA’s ‘recognised supplier scheme’ from 2021 to 2023. This scheme allows listing of third-party companies, which specialise in services for the private rented sector, in an online services directory and classified page of the NRLA’s magazine. Members of the scheme pay an annual fee, at the time of Less Tax for Landlords’ membership this was £5k pa, rising to £6k for 2023.  

"Before they are accepted, all companies undergo a due diligence process and references are obtained from existing customers. Less Tax for Landlords passed these checks and verified that they held the qualifications and professional affiliations appropriate to their service offering.  

"In addition to membership of the recognised supplier scheme, Less Tax for Landlords purchased advertising space in NRLA commercial services emails and Property Magazine on multiple occasions between 2020 and 2023. This was sold via the NRLA’s publishing partner according to their standard rate card.  

"The NRLA has never received income directly in relation to any landlord’s decision to instruct the firm. Furthermore, the Association has no knowledge of how many members engaged Less Tax for Landlords professionally beyond a small number who have subsequently contacted us following the publication of Spotlight 63.  

"It has been suggested that NRLA has not adequately supported affected members in relation to this issue. I entirely understand this criticism and can sympathise with the view. However, I would qualify this by stating that we have been contacted by only a very small number of affected members.  

"Those members who have contacted NRLA have presented with very complex, specific, and varied problems to which there is no simple answer. The Association is not appropriately qualified or regulated to provide the kind of advice required and as such has been limited to signposting individuals to specialists in the field.  

"We are in the process of obtaining specialist legal advice, to ascertain what advice and support may be appropriate for affected members, and I hope to be able to speak of this more in the new year."

As mentioned above, you can share details on your experiences with Less Tax 4 Landlords by clicking here.