The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has reacted to growing speculation that the government will press ahead with its plans to give tenants a minimum three-year contract this week - but allow them to walk away earlier if they wish - before the existing consultation period has even ended.

About four out of five tenancies in England and Wales are set at six months or 12 months, with the assured shorthold tenancy most common in the buy-to-let industry and the consultation is designed to examine whether there should be exemptions from the three-year rule for student accommodation, where tenancies are tied to the academic year.

However, the RLA said it would be it would be “highly irregular” for the government to make an announcement on longer tenancies this week before the consultation has even closed and it has had chance to properly consider all responses.

The RLA Policy Director, David Smith, commented: “As well as showing disregard for recognised procedure, it would suggest that the government does not want to listen to those who will be directly affected by any change. Government should work with landlords to introduce change that improves the rental process for both landlords and tenants, otherwise there is a danger that even more landlords will leave the sector which is already shrinking.”