The National Landlord Association's (NLA) chairman has said that the past year has been challenging for landlords but "the role of the private rented sector has been recognised as increasingly important".
Commenting on 2009, chairman of the NLA David Salusbury claimed that landlords have been called upon to provide accommodation as a result of the housing shortage.
Rental prices are improving thanks to the increased demand and 2010 looks more positive, Mr Salusbury said.
During January property sales stopped and "reluctant landlords" entered the private-rented sector.
A lack of experience among these landlords meant that the industry was given a bad name thanks to their ignorance and inexperience, the NLA reported.
In November at the NLA National Conference, landlords discussed exactly how a national register could get rid of rogue landlords.
Housing minister at the time, Margaret Beckett, introduced a package of measures in May to improve the rental sector - one of which was a national register.
Ms Beckett said the measures would add greater professionalism to the sector without over-burdening landlords.
The NLA will continue to lobby the government on issues affecting landlords in 2010, Mr Salusbury stated.
Written by John Weeks
