Landlords have welcomed a key recommendation from retail guru Mary Portas that would free them to deliver significant extra investment in the nation’s problem high streets.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has urged government ministers to accept one of the recent Portas Review’s central findings that would allow landlords to become high street investors by allowing them to contribute to Business Improvement Districts.

This simple legislative change would allow property owners to match the funding that retailers put in to BIDs, successful vehicles that allow traders to come together to fund improvements in their area.

The BPF’s chief executive Liz Peace said: “Business Improvements Districts (BIDs) are the embodiment of the ‘big society’, with local businesses giving time and money, often voluntarily, to make their high street a bit special.

“We are therefore delighted to see Mary recommending greater landlord involvement in BIDs, and also suggesting how they can be further enhanced with new powers, such as on planning.”

The BPF also welcomed the review’s emphasis on creating trade and driving footfall to town centres, its call to ease the “use class” system and so make it easier for property owners to change the use of key properties on the high street, and her recommendation to promote the inclusion of the High Street in new neighbourhood plans.

It also welcomed the emphasis on building greater ties between landlords and tenants, something the best landlords already excel at, its call to support the Leasing Code, and the use of lease structures other than upward only rent reviews.

Liz Peace said: “In today’s retail environment it is essential for landlords and retailers to understand each others’ needs inside out, and we have long supported the use of the Leasing Code.

“In reality however, only a fraction of new leases are signed with upwards only rent reviews. In fact with average lease lengths now at under six years, very few have any kind of rent review at all.”