Issue 27 - December 2011
Welcome to the December 2011 edition of the Greater Nottingham Landlords' Electronic Newsletter.
Contents
- Top tips for Landlords - Top tips for Landlords who have let or who are considering letting a property on an assured shorthold tenancy (Aug 2011)...
- The introduction of the Electrical Installation Conditions Report (EICR) - January 2012 brings with it the introduction of ...
- Gedling Borough Council Landlord Forum - After a few year's absence Gedling Borough Council will be hosting ...
- Fines for City Landlords and a Property Management Company - A number of Landlords have been prosecuted recently for failing to apply for a HMO licence ...
- Bin days are changing in Nottingham City - Around 70% of our citizens will see changes to their bin collections...
- Warm up your home and cut your bills in Rushcliffe - Installing insulation in your loft and cavity walls...
Top tips for Landlords who have let or who are considering letting a property on an assured shorthold tenancy. (Aug 2011)
For further information follow the web link below;
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/tipslandlordsassuredshorthold?view=Standard
The introduction of the Electrical Installation Conditions Report (EICR)
January 2012 brings with it the introduction of the Electrical Installation Conditions Report (EICR).
The EIRC will replace the current Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) for domestic electrical installations. The main changes will include;
- Re-naming as a Condition report
- New observation codes
The new observation codes will include only three codes of code C1 - danger present; code C2 - potentially dangerous and code C3 - improvement recommended. These will replace the four codes currently used for the PIR.
For further information and clarification please consult the following website
Gedling Borough Council Landlord Forum
After a few years absence Gedling Borough Council will be hosting a landlord forum for local landlords and managing agents in the private rented sector.
The forum will be on Wednesday 25th January 2012 from 6pm to 8pm. The forum will cover topics such as insulating properties, damp and condensation treatments, the Council's Homesearch scheme that can be used to advertise private rented properties, and information about housing benefits
If you rent out or manage a rented property in the Gedling Borough Council area and would like to attend to forum please contact Housing Strategy Manager Alison Bennett on 0115 9013696, or email Alison Bennett
Fines for City Landlords and a Property Management Company
A number of Landlords have been prosecuted recently for failing to apply for a HMO licence within the Nottingham City Council boundary. A City landlord who breached housing regulations has been ordered to pay £4,265.00 in fines and costs
Tara Crofts, 42 of Standhill Road in Carlton appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court on the 19th September and pleaded guilty to breaches under section 61 and 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004 for failure to licence the properties on Beeston Road and Claude Street
Landlords are required by law to licence properties, which are three or more storeys with five or more people that share amenities, with the local authority. This is to improve management and standards within properties in relation to kitchens, bathrooms and adequacy of space. It also helps to make sure that properties are of decent standard and are not dangerous for occupants
Crofts was also found guilty of 10 breaches under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006, across the two properties. Offences included; failing to keep the fire escape free from obstruction and in good working order, failure to produce gas and electricity certificates, failure to ensure that all the appliances were in good working order and failure to ensure internal structure of each part of the house was kept in good condition and repair
Sharif Khan also known as Raja Mehtab Sharif appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 3rd October 2011 and pleaded guilty to breaches under section 61 and 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004 for failure to licence a property on Radford Road
Raja Sohrab Sharif appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 3rd October 2011 and pleaded guilty to giving a false or making a reckless statement under section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
A further City landlord and a Property Management Company have been ordered to pay £5,515.00 in fines and costs after being found guilty of breaching housing regulations
Tariq Hussain, the sole director of Graduates Property Management on North Sherwood Street appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court on the 7th October and again on the 2nd November to answer the offence under section 61 and 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004 for failure to obtain a licence for his property 1 Alpha Terrace, Nottingham
Hussain and Graduates Property Management were found guilty for failure to licence the property on Alpha Terrace and ordered to pay a fine of £5,000 costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £15, bringing the total amount to £5,515
This was the second occasion that Community Protection's Environmental Health Department have taken action against this landlord. Hussain was convicted for the same offence in April 2009 for another property on Alpha Terrace and received a fine and costs totalling £2,238
Cllr David Liversidge, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Regeneration and Community sector said:
"The laws are in place to protect tenants and to help us make certain that housing in Nottingham is of a decent standard. This is the second time that Mr Hussian has ignored the rules surrounding this legislation and we are pleased to see that the level of fine reflects that. The overwhelming majority of our City landlords operate fully within the law, offering decent accommodation to our renting population but citizens can be assured that we are committed to tackling rogue landlords. Students looking for accommodation in Nottingham are urged to visit the Unipol website for a list of approved landlords."
Once a landlord has been convicted the associated tenants can apply to the Residential Property Tribunal (RPT) for a Rent Repayment Order (RPO)
Bin days are changing in Nottingham City
Around 70% of our citizens will see changes to their bin collections, when newly designed collection rounds are implemented from 21 November. The new scheme involves the redesign of bin collection routes across the city, making them quicker and more efficient and helping us to save money on things like fuel and vehicle maintenance. The new rounds will save up to £700K a year. We can do all this and still deliver the same high quality service our citizens are used to
A new postcode tool is being launched too at Nottingham City Council. Here you'll be able to punch in your postcode and receive your new bin dates, plus you'll be able to download your calendar to your computer or phone
Warm up your home and cut your bills in Rushcliffe
Installing insulation in your loft and cavity walls is the most effective way to make your home warmer and cheaper to heat.
It can reduce your annual heating bills by up to £160 and save around two tonnes of CO2
To take advantage of Rushcliffe Borough Council's Warm Streets Insulation Scheme. Call 0800 043 9569, or if calling from a mobile 0333 557 9569, to take advantage of subsidised insulation today. Alternatively, visit: www.warmstreets.co.uk
Warm Streets offers private householders the opportunity to have loft insulation installed for just £49 and cavity wall insulation for just £99, subject to survey. People aged over 70 or on certain benefits may qualify for free insulation. The scheme is available for private rented properties as well as owner occupied, but the tenant must obtain the landlord's permission. Landlord's may also wish to take the opportunity and utilise the scheme to upgrade the insulation in their rented properties.
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