Landlords have ramped up their opposition to government moves to regulate the private rented sector.

In the face of proposals for a central register of landlords, the Manx Landlords Association has drawn up provisional plans of their own - for a register of problem tenants.

It would include bad debtors and destructive tenants.

But questions will be raised about the lawfulness of such a register, which would essentially be a blacklist.

Association spokesman Brian Stowell said: ’We are looking at setting up such a register. It is in the early stages but it is quite possible and we hope workable. The brief that has been presented to me includes an appeals process and the register would be in effect a rolling one with a five-year history.’

The Manx Independent understands, however, that lawyers for the association have already concluded that a tenants’ register would be unworkable as it would be too difficult to administer.

Some 150 landlords attended a meeting last week at the South Douglas Old Friends’ Association to discuss the Landlord Registration Bill.

The Bill aims to establish minimum standards in private rental housing.

Landlords could be fined £10,000 and imprisoned for non-compliance of the conditions.

Critics say there is no need for such a register and some landlords may not be able to afford some of the improvements that may be required under the legislation.

An earlier plan for a central register of landlords was dropped in 2015 after a Tynwald committee said the proposals were ’flawed’.

Mr Stowell said: ’The proposed bill if successful will destabilise the industry, immediately reduce that availability of property and increase rentals considerably.

purpose

’It has been drawn up without any private sector knowledge and is obviously not fit for purpose.

’It is discriminatory against a section of the community and contains harsh punishments including custodial for non-conformity. Set this against a history of incompetence within government without any attempt to chastise or reprimand the persons responsible.’

Mr Stowell said the most recent census showed that 96% of private tenants were happy with their landlords.

’When you consider the ones claiming unsuitable property to get a priority on the housing list then you are looking at very few having genuine complaints,’ he said.

’This is as you might expect given that the environmental health department stated that they are unaware of any cases to their knowledge.

’This is going to get very dirty, very soon I fear.’