Looking Forward……….
From Rob Crawford, Chairman for the Association of Local Landlords (Wessex) 12th July 2021
It’s been some time now since we held our last members meeting in January 2020. We hope that you have managed to negotiate yourselves positively through these challenging times, without any significant detriment to you rental business.
Once we have received the Government’s announcement on 19th July, where the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions will be announced, we can start planning the next meeting.
With the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions we will still need to respect that certain Covid-19 risks will prevail. We will need to considering more spacious venues where Covid-19 risks can be more easily mitigated.
The first meeting will be an AGM where we hope to announce the new Chair Person. Please let me know if you are interested in this role. The role is open to private landlords and landlords who may also be a letting agent. The role provides a great networking opportunity, membership with Landlord Law and opportunities to participate in meetings with our local authorities and our sponsors.
Our website is in need of a refresh to ensure legal compliance and also compatibility with smart mobiles and pads. We are currently considering a potential supplier to conduct this work.
The Private Rental Sector has seen some changes over the last couple of years, primarily aimed at supporting tenants. These changes have presented some difficulties for some landlords. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we will see an easier and more effective eviction process, particularly for anti-social tenants and those with rent arrears.
The Right-to-Rent process has recently changed, I urge all landlords to refresh themselves on the Home Office “Landlord’s Guide to Right-to-Rent Checks”, amended on 1st July 2021.
We can expect further changes on issues that have been delayed due to other Covid-19 related priorities, these include:
- Renters’ Reform Bill
- Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)
- Lifetime Deposits
- The end of ‘no-fault’ Section 21 evictions
- Mandatory landlord register
- Digital Tax Returns (April 2023)
Locally, some existing HMO licensed areas are due to expire. Will local authorities require landlords to renew them for another period? (Note: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has said No to a plea by a south-east council to renew its landlord licensing scheme. Reported by Landlord Today).
Local Authorities in Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire have recently served, or are about to serve, consultations on licensing and/or article 4 requirements.
Fire regulations have changed for licensed HMO’s that now require fire rated doors to be installed on kitchens. Check your local authority website to see if this applies to your HMO(s).
The Committee will be meeting shortly to decide on date of next meetings etc. Once decided, will will let you know and hope that you are able to attend.
Kind regards
Rob Crawford
