February 2015

The RLA has responded to a consultation that includes proposals to limit the scope and frequency of the English Housing Survey (EHS). The EHS is a vital source of housing information and statistics, especially for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) because it is the only independent source of PRS statistics and allows ready comparison between the PRS and other tenures…

Landlords are today calling on the next Government to undertake a review of the enforcement of regulations in the private rented sector. Tenants are being let down by a failure to properly enforce the powers already available to tackle poor housing conditions, argues the Residential Landlords Association…

Liverpool City Council has announced details of the mandatory private landlord licence requirements coming into force on Wednesday 1st April 2015. The RLA was involved throughout the consultation process and met with Council Officials on a number of occasions and we are pleased to see that accredited landlords, and those part of a council approved Coregulation Scheme are being offered a discount on licence fees…

Ombudsman Services Property has agreed to allow all landlords to access their scheme following pressure from the RLA. This means that all landlords can now complain about member agents, and access is no longer limited to only small ‘consumer’ or ‘accidental’ landlords…

On 25th & 26th February 2015, the Landlord & Letting show returns to London Barbican and the RLA will be out in full force. A slightly different set-up this year sees some seminars replaced with ‘husking’ style round-table debates, the RLA is involved throughout and tickets for visitors are FREE…

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the ‘national’ roll-out of Universal Credit (UC) has started, with over 150 jobcentres over the next two months due to handle UC claims. However, it will only single claimants and couples with no children that are eligible for the scheme. Landlords cannot be paid directly as the scheme combines various benefit payments into one lump sum…

With the North East Student Housing sector booming to accommodate an expanding student population, a new awards ceremony has launched to celebrate the best in student housing and property management in the region…

RLA Housing Benefit expert, trainer, and consultant Bill Irvine has written an article concerning his reaction to recent announcements from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding payments to local councils relating to funds for benefit payments…

Landlords in Wales are opposing Government plans for rented housing which were criticised by Shelter Cymru as unlikely to tackle rogue landlords. The Welsh Government’s Renting Homes Bill, published today, outlines plans to tackle so called “retaliatory evictions” – landlords evicting tenants because they complain about their property…

New powers were introduced recently by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) requiring all privately rented properties to attain minimum energy efficiency ratings of at least an E Band by April 2018. The announcement has been expected for some time, and the RLA is campaigning for extra help for landlords and properties most in need of improvements…