Private Rented Sector Think Tank

Nice to see someone like u Paul who has the knowledge & experience & expertise to go along there & post here & keep us informed.
I have just done my first ever notice through to end court date & solicitor cost me small fortune in end, so for some small Landlords, could have broke them.

So if today with u, is the start of something good, then please carry on, 'cause about time they listened.
We got council on one side ringing us up asking for houses for tenants, & then council on other side, making our life hard with the S21 notices & telling tenant to stick it out as long as possible.

Who knows, your debate at this workshop could lead to better things. After all, if tenant done something naughty & not paid rent etc., if quicker cheaper eviction were possible, then more Landlords would be happier to take them in the first place.

I'm getting roughly 60 calls every week off tenants wanting houses & getting roughly one come up every 3 months if that. Because no other Landlord wants the LHA lot. I know 'em , most of 'em are good people, but Landlords are scared to take 'em cause if they get hassle, they know they can't get 'em out quick.

Scary to think Shelter has ANY input in a "Private Rented Sector Think Tank" being a fundamentally Anti-PRS organisation in its publications. DCLG should conciser more impartial charities that solves tenant issues rather than political agenda organisation.

Longer and Securer tenancies is great, as long as the added security for Tenants provides a Landlord with extra security. Such as tenants leaving within term remains fully responsible for rent.

The main issue with longer tenancies is Section 8 notices (section 21 becomes obsolete with longer tenancy's if there is an issue). It takes too long. The government is introducing a Letting Agent redress scheme, the same could be done to resolve Tenant issues and gain possession if not resolved. This removes it from the "court system" which is fraught with delays and introduces dialogue of resolution or face possession.

Having to wait 2 months to issue a S8 Notice, then having to wait 3 months before appointment with a court. Followed by weeks until a bailiff can come to evict thereafter. Is not a great solution.

We already gave the same opinion to the Housing and Regeneration Cttee of the London Assembly in Dec 2012 re longer term tenancies.

That debate (at the London Assembly) did lead to TMW allowing long term tenancies and to them and another lenders allowing landlords to let to people on housing benefit. (Most of the Councillors were not aware either of the first restriction and none of the councillors were aware of the latter restriction).

My own invitation to this latest talking shop must have been lost in the post (I see young Kate's postie delivered hers!), but well done, Paul for making the landlords case and enlightening the MPs again.

David Lawrenson
http://www.LettingFocus.com/blogs
PRS Consultancy

I think this is an interesting debate, the current system is by no means perfect but there is stacks of evidence of both sides abusing the process. We have to remember the current procedures came about when the PRS was allowed to deregulate on rents, this was an enormous step forward for private landlords and contributed to the recovery of the industry. Now here we are 20 odd years on and we need to have a look at it again.

We know that lots of tenants get S21 notices with their keys and more get a S21 if they ever complain or ask for the repairs to which they are entitled.

I am inclined to agree that the procedure could be simplified and run on an web based system but it is unjust to stack the system too far in favour of landlords because this will be abused by those who evict as retaliation for reasonable requests for service.

One of the problems is that landlords are not a well organised and represented constituency and renters are inceasingly seen as the victims of bad landlords. This must be the case or DCLG would not be announcing tenants charters etc.

I would be inclined to support anything that improved fairness and quality in the sector. As the PRS grows in size there is no other conclusion than it will face increased regulation and standard setting.

In a lot of London boroughs its 25% or more of the total housing stock. So if 5% of landlords act badly or unprofessionally it is not noticeable in Oxfordshire but a massive issue in London because thousands of people are affected.

If I was asked I'd be inclined to say that I favour simplifying the administration of all letting processes especially for the non payers and those who damage the lalndlords property or act outside the law but I'd want to see protections included so that tenants who behave properly but were being abused could put forward a defence against the possession.

Reply to the comment left by "John Daley" at "05/12/2013 - 17:11":

Very fair points and I was delighted when Paul advised me that the Deed of Assurance concept I pioneered was raised at the meeting. I would very much appreciate your feedback as to whether you feel this addresses some of the points you have raised. Please see >>> http://www.property118.com/deed-of-assurance-1/32440/
.

How interesting not a mention of UC or LHA direct payments being a cause for concern in the PRS and within this debate?

Like it or not the only way and I say this from an agent and private landlord perspective is to legislate, and licence and I find it quite baffling why, when the opportunity again presents it's self governments back away from it.

I would by the way prefer to see it done sooner rather than later because of Red Ed gets his way, we will also be faced with rent controls again.

I can say that eviction process is very long and exhausting (all this letters and documents you should write). Bad tenants sometimes cause problems long after they leave, usually through unpaid rent and damage to the property. When bad tenants violate terms of their lease, the landlord can post a notice informing them that their right to tenancy has been revoked. This is called an unconditional quit or vacate notice. It gives the tenant a specific period of time, three days, for example, to surrender possession of the dwelling. The notice will specify if the tenants do not vacate the landlord will file eviction proceedings through the local court system. As a landlord I know how hard is to choose a reliable tenant who won’t cause you troubles. I always use http://edinburgh.localmartuk.com/flats-and-houses-for-rent/ to find tenants and where tenants can find my flats for rent. You know, never had problems with my tenants (but I always ask them a lot to know about the payment ability and many other important things).