Issue 1 - April 2007
Welcome to the first edition of the Greater Nottingham Landlords Newsletter that will be distributed approximately every six weeks by email. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep local landlords updated with initiatives and information from Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe, and Nottingham City Councils, as well as information from two Landlord Associations and the local Decent and Safe Homes project.
Tenancy Deposit Scheme - URGENT!!
It will be mandatory for all landlords who take deposits for assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales on or after 6 April 2007 to join a Government authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme. Landlords will be legally required to protect the tenant's deposit and provide details of the scheme to the tenant within 14 days.
For more information see Communities and Local Government website, Directgov website and Tenancy Deposit Solutions website
Contents
- Housing Health and Safety - this information applies nationally
- Do you have properties to let in the Boroughs of Rushcliffe, Gedling or Broxtowe?
- Broxtowe Borough Council - Nuisance Wheelie Bins
- Gedling Borough Council - Vulnerable households
- Landlord Fined for Failing to Licence HMO
- Suspended Sentence for Landlord
- National Landlords Association
- East Midlands Property Owners Ltd - representing landlords locally
- Decent and Safe Homes(DASH) - Working with Local Authorities, Landlords and Tenants to raise Housing Standards
- Finally
Housing Health and Safety - this information applies nationally
- Are you putting your tenants at harm?
- Could your tenant trip and fall on the stairs due to the loose carpet? Or perhaps the window frames are falling apart making it easier for burglars to enter the property?
These are just two examples of potential hazards within a property that could harm your tenants.
How would you feel if your tenant was harmed? Could you have prevented that harm from occurring?
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) looks at a total of 29 potential hazards that could be present in a property including damp and mould, fire and explosions. Each hazard highlights a specific vulnerable group that could be affected i.e. under 14 year olds.
The Local Authority is using the HHSRS to assess conditions within residential properties and an officer shall take into consideration two elements when visiting a property. Firstly how likely it is that harm may occur within the next 12 months and secondly the severity of that harm.
The result of each hazard will fall within a category 1 (serious) or 2 hazard banding. Regulations require Local Authority officers to take action where category 1 hazards exist.
More information on HHSRS is available from the DASH website
Do you have properties to let in the Boroughs of Rushcliffe, Gedling or Broxtowe?
Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe Borough Councils have developed a new service for landlords and tenants called First Lets. If you have properties to let in these areas then we think we can be of help to you.
There is generally a lack of council/housing association accommodation and private rented housing provides another essential accommodation option.
The First Lets team has developed a website www.firstlets.org.uk. The website is a property shop where landlords can advertise their vacancies free of charge and tenants can find suitable accommodation. It also provides landlords and tenants with useful information on services available to them from their local Council, such as The Good Tenants Scheme, and Lettings Accreditation Scheme, which will be launched later in the year.
If you are interested in the above scheme, or would like more information then visit the First Lets website. Alternatively please contact us on 0115 914 8511 or email firstlets@rushcliffe.gov.uk
Broxtowe Borough Council - Nuisance Wheelie Bins
Households that fail to remove the wheelie bin from the highway after being emptied, or who have continually left the bin out for extended periods that are causing a nuisance are in breach of The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and The Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005.
Where complaints have been received about the bins causing a nuisance, an inspector will investigate, and the householder will be contacted and instructed to return the bin within the curtilage of the property.
Failure to comply will result in the bin being removed and returned to store at the Council's Kimberley Depot.
The return on the bin at the householder's request will incur a fee of £75.00 which covers the cost of administration, collection and return.
Gedling Borough Council - Vulnerable households
The government has set targets to reduce the proportion of vulnerable households in the private sector who are living in non-decent homes.
A Decent Home is one which is:
- free from Category 1 hazards determined by the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System
- in a reasonable state of repair
- has reasonably modern facilities and services
- provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
A Private Sector Stock Condition Survey was carried out in Gedling in 2006 which highlighted that the proportion of vulnerable households in non-decent homes was highest in the private rented sector.
To encourage private sector landlords to bring their properties up to the Decent Homes Standard, Renovation Grants up to a maximum of £10,000 are available from the Council.
To qualify, the property must be occupied by a "vulnerable" tenant who is aged 60 or over, or disabled or by a family with children 16 years or under. The tenant must also be in receipt of income-related benefits.
If the property has been empty for six months or more, a Renovation Grant can be provided to bring it back into use and let to a "vulnerable" tenant.
For more information contact the Maintenance Section (Private Housing) Tel: 0115 9013653.
Landlord Fined for Failing to Licence HMO
A woman has become the first landlord in the country to be prosecuted for failing to license a house in multiple occupation.
The landlord was fined £1,245 in December 2006 at Chichester Magistrates Court after ignoring a series of warning letters about her property in Bognor Regis.
She was also fined £4,500 three months earlier for failing to provide adequate fire precautions at the same property.
Suspended Sentence for Landlord
A landlord has been given a suspended jail sentence for illegally evicting one of his tenants on Christmas Day.
Gary Nicholas forcibly threw Carol Essers and her partner out of their home in Bridlington on Christmas day in 2005.
Mr Nicholas pleaded guilty to the illegal eviction and was sentenced to a 16 week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also placed under a seven-day house curfew and ordered to undertake 50 hours unpaid community work. He was told to pay £2,802 in costs.
National Landlords Association
The National Landlords Association was established in 1973 to support landlords and to lobby local and national government on their behalf. It has over 11,500 members nationwide and approximately 300 in Nottinghamshire.
The benefits of membership include:
- A regular journal 'UK Landlord' whose contents are solely directed at the private residential landlord.
- A free telephone advice line.
- Guidance on the complex legislation surrounding all aspects of tenancy agreements.
- Advice on housing benefit issues.
- Advice on the implementation of fire precautions, and the associated regulations relating to furnishings and gas appliances.
- Access to advantageous property insurance.
- Guidance on best accounting practice and taxation.
- The distribution to members of information leaflets and booklets, and advice on their interpretation.
- Promotion of good management practice with regard to let residential premises.
- Regular meetings addressed by leading figures from organisations concerned with residential property.
The NLA also has a Regional Representative for the East Midlands who lives in Nottingham and is working actively to promote the interests of members in the Greater Nottingham area.
For more details visit the NLA website or email christine.darvill@landlords.org.uk
East Midlands Property Owners Ltd - representing landlords locally
EMPO is a limited company run by an elected committee of landlords, experts in their own field within the property market, dedicated to ensuring that members of the association benefit from their collective strength. Established in 1942, EMPO is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the needs of landlords across the East Midlands. EMPO, as part of the NFRL (National Federation of Residential Landlords), works with Government, Local Authorities and industry to provide the best support, advice and lobbying possible for impendent landlords in this region.
This year has been another year of outstanding achievement including increasing membership, publication of our new regular journal 'Professional Landlord', free mailing of 'Successful Renting' (the official journal of NFRL), opening of EMPO House, our new office and regular emails, all containing news on legislation, market issues and free talks for Landlords such as completing accounts and taking good inventories. EMPO campaign on landlords' behalf on property owner's issues. Currently EMPO sit on over 13 Government committees and are recognised by all of our Local Authorities having negotiated home licensing discounts with Local Authorities. EMPO offer significant trade discounts with suppliers ranging from insurance to fitted kitchens.
To join EMPO and benefit from our services, recommended suppliers and website information, simply call 0845 0940386 or visit the EMPO website.
Decent and Safe Homes (DASH) - Working with Local Authorities, Landlords and Tenants to raise Housing Standards
DASH provides information and training to Landlords, tenants and local authorities on issues affecting the private rented sector. DASH currently works with 40 local authorities in the East Midlands providing:
- Training on the Housing Act 2004 and other housing legislation such as the Decent Homes Standard
- Standardisation working groups to promote consistency and best practice across the region
- Forms and documents for the standardisation of housing assessment
Tenants
We provide tenants with information designed to help make renting a property as enjoyable and pain free as possible, the centrepiece of this is the extensive tenant guide that is available for free download from the DASH website.
Landlords
DASH provide several professional development sessions and events for landlords, including the East Midlands Landlord Summit. Topics include:
- Completion of HMO licensing application forms
- Fire Safety Risk Assessment
- Hazard identification and HHSRS assessments
DASH have also produced a series guides for landlords which are available to download for free from the DASH website. Titles published include:
- Amenities and Space
- Houses in Multiple Occupation - Licensing in the East Midlands
- Local Authority Enforcement Options
- The 29 Hazards
- The Decent Homes Standard
Landlord Accreditation
DASH are developing a new region-wide accreditation scheme that will be launched over the coming months. DASH is working closely with organisations such as the NLA and EMPO on this project.
Website
DASH have a frequently updated website with information including:
- Information relating to the Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS
- Downloadable guidance for landlords and tenants
- Information on forthcoming events
- Links to many useful websites
We try to answer any queries that landlords or tenants may have. All emails and phone calls will either be dealt with by the DASH team or forwarded to the relevant local authority department.
Contact Details
Telephone 01332 256410
Email dash@derby.gov.uk
Website www.eastmidlandsdash.org.uk
Finally
We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter and found the contents useful and interesting. If you have any suggestions for future articles or questions please contact us.
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© 2007. The Greater Nottingham Landlords’ Electronic Newsletter is run as a partnership