A Unified Voice for Landlords: How VOLA Is Changing the Landscape of Property Ownership Advocacy
In an era where landlords often feel their concerns are overlooked in policy discussions, a new organization has emerged to unite local and regional landlord associations across the United Kingdom. The Voice of Landlords Associations (VOLA) represents a significant shift in how property owners organize collectively to address the challenges facing their industry. Founded as a not-for-profit initiative by Paul Cunningham, chair of the Eastern Landlords Association (ELA), VOLA has quickly attracted several established groups including the British Landlords Association, Leeds Property Association, and Devon Landlords Association. Together, these founding organizations represent approximately 53,000 landlords, creating a substantial collective voice in a sector that has traditionally struggled with fragmented advocacy.
The catalyst for VOLA’s creation stems from growing frustration among landlords regarding selective licensing schemes and a perception that property owners lack adequate representation in national debates. “The industry has never been in such a parlous state,” Cunningham explains with evident concern. “We’re just seen as easy pickings, but we don’t want to roll over. When tenant groups speak, everyone listens, but it’s not the same when landlords speak.” This sentiment resonates with many property owners who feel increasingly marginalized despite providing essential housing services. The ELA’s current challenge against Great Yarmouth Council’s upcoming licensing scheme—which includes the threat of legal action—exemplifies the type of advocacy VOLA aims to coordinate on a larger scale. Beyond reactive measures, the organization also seeks proactive engagement with government to help develop secondary legislation under the Renters’ Rights Act and address the backlogged court system that affects both landlords and tenants.
VOLA’s operational structure addresses a critical gap in the property sector’s organizational landscape. While the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) works directly with individual landlords, VOLA focuses on uniting and supporting existing associations, many of which operate with limited resources. Charlie Baker, VOLA’s chair and an ELA director, notes that numerous small associations with just 200-300 members struggle to keep their membership informed about complex regulatory changes and legal developments. “There are probably at least 25 registered landlord associations in the UK but lots more groups. Hopefully we can be their access point,” Baker explains. “We want to unify them and amplify their voices.” This approach acknowledges the value of local expertise while creating economies of scale through shared resources and collective action, potentially transforming how landlord advocacy functions nationwide.
The services VOLA plans to provide reflect a sophisticated understanding of what smaller landlord associations need to thrive in today’s complex regulatory environment. The organization will share best practices, distribute legal updates, and—perhaps most significantly—collect and analyze data from member associations to inform evidence-based policy positions. This data-driven approach marks a departure from purely anecdotal advocacy, potentially giving landlords greater credibility in policy discussions. Much of VOLA’s information will be freely available to members, creating an accessible knowledge base for property owners of all sizes. Additional paid services may include access to newsletter templates to improve communication with members and opportunities to join VOLA’s board, ensuring diverse representation across the organization as it grows. This tiered approach allows the organization to remain financially sustainable while keeping core services accessible.
VOLA’s relationship with existing organizations like the NRLA appears complementary rather than competitive, suggesting a maturing of the advocacy landscape. “We want to provide an alternative so that when the NRLA is talking to government there will be a member alongside them from VOLA,” Baker clarifies. This collaborative stance potentially strengthens the overall position of landlords in policy discussions while providing multiple channels for diverse viewpoints within the sector. By bringing together associations representing different geographical areas and landlord types, VOLA creates opportunities for more nuanced policy positions that acknowledge regional variations and different business models within the rental market. This approach may help bridge gaps between large corporate landlords and smaller “mom and pop” operations that sometimes have divergent interests despite operating in the same regulatory environment.
As VOLA establishes itself in the property landscape, its success will likely depend on how effectively it balances member needs with broader industry advocacy. Membership is open to any landlord association meeting the organization’s criteria, suggesting an inclusive approach designed to maximize representation. The timing of VOLA’s emergence—during a period of significant legislative change in the rental sector—may prove advantageous, giving landlords a unified platform during a crucial transition period. If successful, this model of association-level organization could influence how other sectors with numerous small representative bodies approach collective advocacy. For landlords feeling increasingly pressured by regulatory changes and public perception challenges, VOLA represents not just practical support but also recognition that their perspectives deserve consideration in the ongoing conversation about housing in the United Kingdom. As one industry member observed, “It’s about time landlords had a seat at the table where decisions affecting their livelihoods are made.”
