Greater Nottingham Landlords’ Electronic Newsletter

Issue 28 - February 2012

Welcome to the February 2012 edition of the Greater Nottingham Landlords' Electronic Newsletter.

Improving Domestic Energy Efficiency in Private and Social Housing - Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP) is offering a FREE home insulation Winter Special for home owners, private landlords and private tenants across Nottinghamshire ...
Gedling Borough Council Landlord Forum is Back - After a few years without a forum and following consultation ...
Nottingham City Council prosecution - Environmental Health, part of Community Protection within Nottingham City Council has successfully prosecuted two ...

Improving Domestic Energy Efficiency in Private and Social Housing

Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP) is offering a FREE home insulation Winter Special for home owners, private landlords and private tenants across Nottinghamshire

NEP can install free loft or cavity wall insulation but this MUST be installed by 31st March 2012

ALL homeowners, private tenants and private landlords can apply

For more information Call

Nottingham Warm Zone: 0844 499 1920 (if you live in Nottingham)
Broxtowe Warm Zone: 08455 390 390 (if you live in Broxtowe)
Greater Nottingham Healthy Housing Service 0115 947 2207 (if you live anywhere else in Nottingham)

For further information and eligibility requirments, follow the web link below;

www.nottenergy.com

Gedling Borough Council Landlord Forum is Back

After a few years without a forum and following consultation with local landlords, the Gedling Landlord Forum returned on 25th January 2012. The Forum was free to attend and was held in the Council Chamber in Gedling Borough Council Offices in Arnot Hill Park, Arnold.

Over 40 landlords and lettings agents with properties in the Gedling area attended the event. The Forum was opened by Councillor Roy Allan, Portfolio Holder for Economic & Strategic Development. Presentations were received on;

Dampness and mould; causes and treatments
Sempatap insulation
WARMSTREETS partnership cavity wall and loft insulation scheme
The Council's Choice Based Lettings system (which can be used to advertise privately rented properties for clients in need of housing)
An update on the Housing Benefits process and payments

The feedback from the event was very positive and 96% of attendees said they found the event useful and would attend a future Gedling Forum. The Council will be looking to host a further Forum later in the year.

If you would like to attend a future Forum but were not on the mailing list for the recent event, please email Sam Palmer or telephone 0115 9013846

Environmental Health, part of Community Protection within Nottingham City Council has successfully prosecuted two more unlicensed HMO landlords

NCC v Bede Street Ltd

On 12th October 2011 Bede Street Ltd of Foxhunter Drive, Oadby, Leicester pleaded guilty to Failure to Licence "Canterbury Court", Peel Street, contrary to Part 2 Housing Act 2004, section 72 and failure to display the contact information of the landlord, contrary to the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006.

The case was adjourned for sentencing as the Magistrates wanted to see the business accounts, and after a couple of delays was finally sentenced 21st December 2011.

Mr Sukhdev Singh, a Director, appeared in court on behalf of the Company along with his solicitor. The solicitor acting on behalf of the defence said in mitigation that:

the organisation was not there
there was apathy
there was an inability to prioritise
although several letters were sent by NCC, there was a failure to react to them
Landlords are supposed to acquaint themselves with the rules
Mr Singh and the other Directors are now aware
there are no problems with their other properties

The solicitor went on to say that despite the fact that the Management Regulations had not been complied with to the letter, they were in spirit as all the tenants did know who to contact. She pointed out that an application had now been made and the contact details were now displayed.

The Magistrates gave full credit for the guilty plea and sentenced them to a fine. The total amount, including costs, was £2,676

NCC v Nadeem Hussain

On 21st December 2011, Mr Nadeem Hussain of Grosvenor Road, London pleaded guilty to Failure to Licence 117 Foxhall Road, Nottingham, contrary to Part 2 Housing Act 2004, section 72 and a breach of the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006, in that he failed to maintain the fire alarm system

This unlicensed HMO came to the attention of Environmental Health through the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, following a fire on 29th April 2011. The alarm system did not activate until a passer by manually hit the fire alarm call point. The fire had started in the kitchen and all the occupiers evacuated safely

The property is an eight bed house over three storeys, with shared amenities.

Mr Hussain was not represented at the hearing, therefore, following the summary by the prosecution he explained to the Magistrates some of the events which lead to the number of occupiers exceeding four and therefore, taking him within the licensing threshold.

He explained that he had served Notices to quit on some of the tenants, but they hadn't moved out. Also that one of the tenants had her three children with her, without his permission. Meanwhile he was accepting new tenants.

Having listened to Mr Hussain and taken notes about who was living there and when, one of the Magistrates interrupted him and said that at a point in January 2011 there were actually 9 occupiers. Mr Hussain argued that he had tried to get them out.

The clerk pointed out that tenants don't always behave as they should but that didn't mean that he shouldn't do what he should as a responsible landlord.

When Mr Hussain was asked about when the fire alarm system was last checked, he said that he had relied upon the previous certificate. He was then asked whether he was clear about what his responsibilities were.

He said that there were three tenants in there now, and when this case is over he will apply for the licence. He added that his other properties don't have more than four tenants.

The Magistrate pointed out that this was a large house with capacity for 5 plus tenants, therefore, it would have been prudent to apply for a licence.

They gave full credit for the guilty plea at the first opportunity and Mr Hussain was sentenced to a fine. The total amount, including costs, was £3,030.00.