Ending your NRLA membership made easy

About NRLA

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is the UK's leading professional membership organisation for private residential landlords. Formed in 2020 through the merger of the National Landlords Association (NLA) and the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), the NRLA represents over 100,000 landlord members across England and Wales. The organisation provides support, guidance, and advocacy for landlords navigating the increasingly complex rental property landscape.

NRLA membership offers landlords access to a comprehensive suite of services including legal advice, tenancy documentation, training courses, and policy updates. The organisation actively campaigns on behalf of landlords, engaging with government and regulatory bodies to influence housing policy. Members benefit from discounted services, insurance products, and a wealth of resources designed to help them manage their rental properties professionally and compliantly.

Most importantly, the NRLA serves as both a practical resource and a collective voice for landlords dealing with ever-changing legislation around deposits, evictions, energy efficiency standards, and licensing schemes. For many landlords, membership represents essential professional support in an increasingly regulated sector.

Plans, features and pricing

The NRLA structures its membership around different tiers designed to accommodate landlords with varying portfolio sizes and support needs. Understanding these options helps you determine what you've been paying for and whether the value proposition still matches your requirements.

Membership tiers and costs

NRLA offers several membership levels with pricing that reflects the scale of your landlord operations. Standard membership typically costs around £120-£150 annually for individual landlords with smaller portfolios. This tier provides access to core services including legal advice helplines, standard tenancy agreement templates, and policy updates.

Keep in mind that these prices can vary based on promotional offers and whether you're a new or renewing member. The NRLA occasionally runs special rates, particularly during periods of legislative change when they're actively recruiting members.

Core membership benefits

NRLA membership includes access to a legal advice helpline staffed by property law specialists. This service alone can justify the membership cost if you encounter tenant disputes or compliance questions. Members can also download tenancy agreement templates, Section 21 and Section 8 notices, and various other legal documents required for property management.

Additionally, members receive regular policy briefings and updates about legislative changes affecting the private rental sector. The NRLA publishes research, provides training courses on topics like property maintenance and tax planning, and offers discounted rates on landlord insurance products and inventory services.

Why landlords join and why they leave

Landlords typically join the NRLA when they're starting out and need guidance, facing a specific legal challenge, or wanting to stay informed about regulatory changes. The membership feels valuable during active property management phases or when dealing with difficult tenants.

However, many landlords cancel their membership for several practical reasons. Some find they've sold their rental properties and no longer need landlord-specific services. Others discover they rarely use the benefits after the initial learning period, making the annual fee feel unjustified. Experienced landlords sometimes develop their own systems and professional networks, reducing their reliance on membership resources.

Financial pressures also drive cancellations. With increased mortgage costs, higher property taxes, and tighter profit margins in the rental sector, landlords often scrutinise all recurring expenses. If you haven't contacted the legal helpline or downloaded documents in months, that membership fee becomes an obvious cost to cut.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Understanding the NRLA's cancellation terms is absolutely essential before you begin the termination process. Professional membership organisations operate under specific contractual frameworks, and knowing these details prevents unexpected charges or disputes.

Membership contract fundamentals

NRLA memberships typically operate on an annual subscription basis with automatic renewal clauses. When you initially joined, you likely agreed to terms stating that your membership would renew automatically unless you provide cancellation notice. This is standard practice for professional associations but catches many members off guard.

Most importantly, the NRLA requires advance notice for cancellation—usually 30 days before your renewal date. If your membership renews on 1st April and you submit cancellation notice on 15th March, you should be fine. However, if you wait until 10th March or later, you might be locked into another full year of membership fees.

Notice period requirements

The NRLA's terms generally specify that cancellation requests must be received in writing with sufficient notice before the renewal date. Email and online cancellations may be accepted, but postal cancellation provides the strongest legal protection under UK consumer law.

Keep in mind that "received" means when the NRLA actually gets your cancellation letter, not when you posted it. This is why recorded delivery becomes crucial—it provides proof of delivery and timing.

Refund policies and prorated adjustments

The NRLA typically does not offer refunds for partially used membership periods. If you've paid for a full year and cancel six months in, you generally won't receive a refund for the unused six months. This policy is standard across professional membership organisations but frustrates members who assume they'll get money back.

However, there are exceptions. If the NRLA charges you after you've properly submitted timely cancellation notice, you have grounds to dispute the charge and request a refund. This is another reason why documented postal cancellation proves so valuable—you have concrete evidence of when you submitted your request.

UK consumer protection considerations

Under UK consumer law, subscription services must provide clear cancellation procedures and honour properly submitted cancellation requests. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 establish your rights when dealing with service providers like the NRLA.

If you believe the NRLA has not honoured a valid cancellation or has charged you improperly after cancellation, you can escalate through their complaints procedure and ultimately to the Financial Ombudsman Service or trading standards if necessary. Documentation of your cancellation request becomes critical evidence in any dispute.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Postal cancellation remains the gold standard for terminating professional memberships in the UK. Despite the prevalence of digital communication, a properly sent postal letter provides legal protections and proof of delivery that emails simply cannot match.

Why postal cancellation is most reliable

First, postal cancellation creates a physical paper trail with independent verification through Royal Mail's tracking systems. When you send a cancellation letter via Recorded Delivery, you receive proof of postage and confirmation when the NRLA signs for the letter. This evidence becomes invaluable if disputes arise about whether you submitted cancellation or when it was received.

Next, postal cancellation eliminates common digital problems. Emails can end up in spam folders, online forms can malfunction, and customer service portals sometimes fail to process requests properly. A physical letter must be handled and cannot simply disappear into a digital void.

Additionally, UK contract law recognises postal communication as having specific legal standing. The "postal rule" in contract law states that acceptance or notice is effective when posted, not when received, in certain circumstances. While this doesn't always apply to cancellations, it demonstrates the legal weight postal communication carries.

Most importantly, organisations treat postal correspondence more seriously than emails. A formal letter demonstrates your seriousness and creates accountability within the organisation. Staff cannot easily ignore or delete a physical document that requires processing and filing.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should be clear, concise, and include all necessary identification details. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your NRLA membership account. Include your membership number, which you can find on membership correspondence or your online account.

State your intention to cancel explicitly and unambiguously. Use phrases like "I am writing to cancel my NRLA membership" rather than "I am considering cancellation" or "I would like to discuss ending my membership." Ambiguous language can give organisations grounds to claim you didn't actually submit a cancellation request.

Include the date you're writing the letter and specify when you want the cancellation to take effect. If your renewal date is 1st May, you might write "Please cancel my membership effective 1st May 2024" to make your intentions crystal clear.

Keep in mind that you don't need to provide detailed explanations for why you're cancelling. While you can mention reasons briefly if you wish, organisations cannot require justification for cancellation. Your decision to terminate the membership is sufficient.

Essential information to include

Your letter must contain specific details that allow the NRLA to identify your account and process your cancellation without confusion or delay. Include your full name, postal address, email address associated with your membership, and membership number. If you don't have your membership number readily available, include other identifying information like the approximate date you joined or your property addresses if they're registered with the NRLA.

Add a clear statement requesting written confirmation of your cancellation. This creates an obligation for the NRLA to respond and provides you with additional documentation that cancellation was processed. You might write "Please confirm receipt of this cancellation request and provide written confirmation that my membership will end on [date]."

Additionally, if you have any automatic payment arrangements like Direct Debit, instruct the NRLA to cancel these as well. State "Please cancel any Direct Debit or automatic payment arrangements associated with my membership" to prevent continued charges.

The correct postal address

Sending your cancellation letter to the correct address is absolutely critical. Using an outdated or incorrect address can delay processing or even invalidate your cancellation notice if it arrives after your deadline. The NRLA's official correspondence address is:

• National Residential Landlords Association
• PO Box 1381
• Coventry
• CV5 0DZ

Double-check this address before posting your letter. Organisations sometimes change their correspondence addresses, so if you're reading this guide months or years after publication, verify the current address on the NRLA website or recent membership correspondence.

Recorded delivery requirements

Always send cancellation letters via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. This service costs approximately £3-4 but provides essential proof of postage and delivery. When you send Recorded Delivery, you receive a reference number and can track the letter's progress online through Royal Mail's tracking system.

Most importantly, Recorded Delivery requires the recipient to sign for the letter, creating documented proof that the NRLA received your cancellation. This signature and delivery confirmation become crucial evidence if the organisation later claims they never received your letter.

Go to any Post Office branch to send Recorded Delivery. Staff will weigh your letter, apply the correct postage, and provide you with a receipt containing your tracking reference. Keep this receipt in a safe place along with a copy of your cancellation letter.

Timing your postal cancellation

Calculate your posting date carefully to ensure your letter arrives with sufficient notice before your renewal date. If the NRLA requires 30 days' notice and your membership renews on 1st May, your letter should arrive no later than 1st April.

Account for postal delivery times when planning. Standard Recorded Delivery typically takes 1-2 working days, but allow extra time for potential delays. If your deadline is 1st April, post your letter no later than 27th March to provide a comfortable buffer.

Keep in mind that weekends and bank holidays don't count as working days for delivery estimates. If you post on Friday afternoon, your letter likely won't arrive until Tuesday at the earliest. Plan accordingly and don't leave cancellation until the last minute.

Using Postclic for streamlined postal cancellation

While you can certainly handle postal cancellation yourself, services like Postclic simplify the entire process significantly. Postclic allows you to create, send, and track formal letters entirely online without visiting a Post Office or handling physical mail.

The service provides several practical advantages for busy landlords. First, Postclic handles professional letter formatting automatically, ensuring your cancellation includes all necessary elements and looks appropriately formal. You simply input your details and cancellation information through their platform.

Next, Postclic prints, envelopes, and posts your letter with tracked delivery, providing you with digital proof of sending and delivery confirmation. This eliminates trips to the Post Office and ensures you have documented evidence of your cancellation timing.

Additionally, Postclic maintains digital records of your correspondence, creating an easily accessible archive if you need to reference your cancellation later. This proves particularly valuable if disputes arise months after you've cancelled and you need to quickly retrieve proof of your cancellation request.

The time-saving aspect alone makes services like Postclic worthwhile for many people. Rather than drafting a letter, printing it, finding an envelope, visiting the Post Office during business hours, and keeping track of paper receipts, you handle everything online in minutes. For landlords juggling multiple properties and responsibilities, this efficiency has real value.

After posting your cancellation

Once you've posted your cancellation letter, monitor its delivery through Royal Mail's tracking system using your Recorded Delivery reference number. You should see delivery confirmation within 2-3 working days showing that the NRLA signed for your letter.

Save all documentation related to your cancellation. Keep your Recorded Delivery receipt, a copy of your cancellation letter, screenshots of delivery confirmation, and any response from the NRLA. Store these documents in both physical and digital formats for at least two years.

Most importantly, monitor your bank account or credit card statements after your expected cancellation date. Verify that the NRLA does not charge you for membership renewal. If you see an unexpected charge, contact the NRLA immediately with your cancellation documentation to dispute the payment.

Tips from former members

Having processed thousands of membership cancellations, I've gathered insights from former NRLA members that can help you navigate the cancellation process smoothly and avoid common pitfalls.

Cancel well before your renewal date

The single most common mistake members make is waiting until too close to their renewal date to cancel. Even if the NRLA only requires 30 days' notice, give yourself 45-60 days of buffer time. This protects you against postal delays, processing backlogs, and any confusion about your account.

One former member shared that she posted her cancellation exactly 30 days before renewal, but the NRLA claimed it arrived 29 days before, making her liable for another year's fees. She eventually won the dispute using her Recorded Delivery proof, but it required weeks of back-and-forth communication that could have been avoided by cancelling earlier.

Check your membership anniversary date

Many members don't actually know when their membership renews. Don't assume it's the same as when you first joined—if you joined mid-year with a promotional rate, your renewal date might differ. Check your most recent membership confirmation email or contact the NRLA to confirm your exact renewal date before calculating your cancellation timing.

Set calendar reminders for next year

If you're cancelling because you no longer need the membership but might want it again in the future, set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your old renewal date. This prevents accidentally rejoining during a moment of need and then forgetting to cancel again next year.

Cancel automatic payments separately

Don't rely solely on the NRLA to cancel your Direct Debit or automatic payment arrangement. While your cancellation letter should request this, take the additional step of cancelling through your bank or credit card provider directly. This creates a backup safeguard against continued charges.

Contact your bank and instruct them to cancel any Direct Debit mandates to the NRLA. If you pay by credit card, remove the stored card details from your NRLA online account if possible. This dual approach ensures you're protected even if the NRLA's internal processes fail to stop automatic billing.

Download documents before cancelling

Before you submit your cancellation, log into your NRLA member account and download any documents, templates, or resources you might need in the future. Once your membership ends, you'll lose access to these materials, and they can be valuable even if you're no longer actively using NRLA services.

One former member regretted not downloading tenancy agreement templates before cancelling. Six months later, when taking on a new tenant, he had to purchase individual documents at a much higher cost than his former membership fee. Spend an hour downloading and organising everything you might conceivably need.

Save legal advice summaries

If you've contacted the NRLA legal helpline and received advice, make sure you have written summaries of that guidance. These notes can prove valuable for future reference even after your membership ends. Additionally, save any policy briefings or legislative updates that might remain relevant to your property management.

Request written confirmation

Always request written confirmation of your cancellation in your letter, but don't wait passively for it to arrive. If you haven't received confirmation within 10 working days of your letter's delivery, contact the NRLA to follow up. This proactive approach catches processing errors before they become billing problems.

When you receive confirmation, verify that it states the correct cancellation date and confirms that no further charges will be applied. If the confirmation contains any ambiguous language or unexpected information, query it immediately rather than assuming everything is fine.

Be prepared for retention attempts

Some former members report that the NRLA contacted them after receiving cancellation notices to offer discounted rates or additional benefits to retain their membership. Decide in advance whether you're open to such offers or if your decision to cancel is final.

If you're genuinely open to staying for the right price, these retention offers can provide good value. However, if you've decided to leave, don't let persuasive retention staff talk you into staying when cancellation remains your best choice. You can always rejoin later if circumstances change.

Don't feel obligated to explain

If the NRLA contacts you to discuss your cancellation, remember that you're not obligated to provide detailed explanations or justifications. A simple "The membership no longer fits my needs" is perfectly sufficient. Don't let retention staff make you feel guilty about cancelling—it's a straightforward business decision.

Monitor your account for several months

Keep monitoring your bank statements for at least three months after your expected cancellation date. Billing errors sometimes occur weeks or months later, particularly if your cancellation happened close to a renewal date or during organisational system changes.

If you spot any unexpected NRLA charges after cancellation, dispute them immediately with both the NRLA and your bank or credit card provider. Provide your cancellation documentation as evidence. Most importantly, don't delay—financial disputes become harder to resolve the longer you wait.

Consider alternatives before cancelling

While this guide focuses on cancellation, make sure you've genuinely evaluated whether ending your membership is the right choice. If cost is your primary concern but you still value some benefits, check whether the NRLA offers lower-tier membership options or if you can negotiate a reduced rate.

Some landlords find value in maintaining membership during high-risk periods—such as when serving eviction notices or dealing with tenant disputes—and cancelling during quieter times. This strategic approach maximises value while minimising costs. However, remember the notice period requirements if you plan to cancel and rejoin periodically.