9:56 AM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago 19
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This week saw a cornucopia of stories that illustrate the current wrong thinking on the private rented sector – and that landlords are the fault for everything.
First up is Andy Burnham’s political nonsense, the ‘groundbreaking’ Good Landlord Charter.
Ostensibly it is for all rented homes in Greater Manchester but I’m willing to offer good money that ONLY private landlords will be hit by this.
However, I’m not entirely sure why the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has come out in support of this measure.
That’s because I am confused as to why we need a good landlord charter when ALL landlords must comply with around 168 laws.
It’s unbelievable.
Then we have Michael Gove announcing Awaab’s Law which will have timescales for social housing landlords to deal with serious issues like mould.
Again, Gove was talking about ‘rogue landlords’ which to everyone means landlords in the private sector.
You can watch news reports about this issue and there’s not much effort to differentiate between social landlords and PRS landlords. (I’m looking at you BBC News).
And that is deliberate – the media believes we are all bad.
The death of a little boy is a tragic event and should have been avoided by the SOCIAL landlord.
But rather than having councils and housing associations get their own house in order they focus on private landlords.
Whether it is selective licensing or a landlord’s charter – the really big problems stem from social landlords.
Property118 regularly runs stories from the Housing Ombudsman lambasting social landlords.
And, let’s be honest, some of the issues they have been found guilty of are not only horrendous but the vast majority of private landlords wouldn’t do.
So, here’s a giant sledgehammer to hit all landlords with in Greater Manchester but I’m confident that councils won’t be affected.
They don’t care about their legal obligations now, so what will change?
And who will be enforcing Awaab’s Law and the Landlords Charter?
That poor boy died in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in social housing.
Councils will be the enforcers and they won’t want the spotlight falling on their properties.
This will punish good private landlords and force us out of the sector.
And then we have the Direct Line research showing the reasons why tenancy breaches occur.
Other than landlord news outlets, where did that story go?
Nowhere. Absolutely no one is interested in the antics of tenants.
I must stress that while most tenants are good, they still create issues.
The research highlights the extent of subletting, changing the locks – that’s a straight eviction in my book – and tampering with smoke alarms.
The research also reveals that 38% of tenancy agreement breaches were for failing to pay the rent, and slightly less for not keeping the property clean and damaging or making alterations to a property.
Again, while it is a tenant’s home, it is a landlord’s property.
Landlords already face lots of penalties and sanctions for offering poor housing, so why introduce more?
Are we just creating more jobs for the boys?
One factor that gets ignored is that a landlord has invested in their property and needs to maintain it, so it keeps its value.
Councils and housing associations don’t have to do that.
It is the laws that need enforcing not the introduction of new ones.
So, come on Andy Burnham, let’s see if you are brave enough to promote a Charter for Good Tenants that covers the payment of rent, anti-social behaviour and the cleaning of the property.
If a charter, the Renters (Reform) Bill and 168 laws are needed for landlords, why can’t this extend to tenants too?
I’d love to know what sort of things other landlords think we should include in a tenants’ charter.
Hopefully, tenant antics that the likes of Shelter and Generation Rent don’t want to publicise.
So, will we get a Charter for Tenants? It would be an effective way for the public to hear about what we have to put up with.
But I won’t be holding my breath.
Until next time,
The Landlord Crusader
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Shinh
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Sign Up10:14 AM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
https://gofund.me/d95ac5b8
Funding request for a UK Tenants Register for residential and commercial
David100
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Sign Up10:30 AM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
In Germany there is no such thing as "fair wear and tear" in the PRS. Every property has to be returned "as received" This means that the property is usually refurbished (by the tenants) at the end of the contract, and there are loads of firms that specialise in quickly restoring property, for this very reason. It means that the tenant has a financial reason, to look after the property. The result is landlords feel they can put in better quality fixtures and fittings, and they wont continually have to replace them due to damages..............sorry "fair wear and tear"
Shinh
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Sign Up10:44 AM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
We had an loss adjuster from Sedgwick who came out with the following definitions
Wear and tear
Moderate wear an tear
Excessive wear and tear.
None defined in the policy except 1st one
They're making it up to avoid paying
As their bonus and prp is based in % reduced for payout vs claimed amount
Told him wear to get off 🤣
Totally bananas
Crouchender
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Sign Up11:47 AM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Shinh at 12/01/2024 - 10:44
NRLA support is as part of the charter includes a LL being accredited. Which means £££££££££ for NRLA courses. Simples
Shinh
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Sign Up11:50 AM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
Unless it a legal requirement then no thanks
This'll just add to more higher rents as does licensing. Ref Nottingham
Rouge landlords need to be for 25 years not charge good LL to pay fees. Rip off
Will rogue LL register!! No
This will not solve the problem
Dylan Morris
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Sign Up12:08 PM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by David100 at 12/01/2024 - 10:30
And I believe there’s no capital gains tax on rented properties in Germany ?
Dylan Morris
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Sign Up12:08 PM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
No inheritance tax in Sweden or Australia as well.
cashcow
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Sign Up12:11 PM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Crouchender at 12/01/2024 - 11:47
You got it.
David Rose
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Sign Up13:27 PM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
Here in Bath tenants have to sign this agreement as part of the licensing conditions
Appendix 2
Undertaking of good practice
Bath and North East Somerset HMO Licensing
IT IS A CONDITION OF THE HMO LICENCE THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED
TO ALL OCCUPANTS
This document is intended to ensure that occupants are aware of their responsibilities relating to waste
management, fire safety and anti-social behaviour.
Waste and recycling
Occupants have a responsibility to:
co-operate with the provisions in place for the storage and collection of recycling and rubbish
and, to make sure that it is separated correctly;
to put out recycling and rubbish for collection using the correct containers by 7am on their
collection day, or as late as possible after 8pm the previous evening at the front edge of the
property;
to bring containers back in as soon as possible after emptying.
Occupants can be fined for leaving their recycling and rubbish out on the highway at the wrong time or
place.
Landlords have a duty to inform occupants when and how recycling and rubbish collections are made.
The attached information notice must be displayed in the licensed property.
Fire safety
The fire precautions are there for the protection of the occupants of the property and should never be
interfered with in any way.
Never prop open doors or disconnect any door closing mechanism. This is especially important
when you go to bed at night.
Every week - check your smoke alarms are working as they should.
Never interfere with the fire alarm. If you deliberately prevent the fire alarm from working correctly it
may result in eviction by your landlord and/or prosecution by the Council.
If you think that the fire alarm is sounding falsely or not working correctly, contact your landlord
about it. Alternatively, contact Housing Services on 01225 396444.
Always keep the hall, stairs and landings (the escape route) free from obstructions such as bicycles,
unwanted furniture etc.
Make sure you are familiar with using the fire blanket and any fire extinguishers in your home.
Report any problems to your landlord.
Remember, if a fire has spread because of your interference with the fire precautions in place, you may
also face civil proceedings by the landlord to recover costs for any additional damage caused.
Neighbours and anti-social behaviour
Examples of anti-social behaviour include excessive noise (shouting, loud music etc.), drunk or
disorderly conduct, rubbish dumping, harassment and vandalism.
Occupants should ensure that nothing that they or their visitors do will interfere with other occupants
within the house or the neighbourhood. The result of anti-social behaviour on the part of an occupant
and/or any of their visitors could include eviction and/or retention of deposits for repairs etc. Occupants
can be prosecuted if they continue to cause a nuisance. In addition, cases can be referred to Avon and
Somerset Police Anti-Social Behaviour Team which could result in an Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Michael Booth
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Sign Up13:52 PM, 12th January 2024, About 12 months ago
How about a fair charter for landlords.