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Landlords Forum eNewsletter from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council - July 2022

Welcome to the landlord forum eNewsletter - we have been unable to hold any forum meetings, but we have kept everyone up to date via email with any important updates, and via our designated webpages for landlords and agents. We hope you will find the information in the eNewsletter useful.

Please share this newsletter with anyone you feel will benefit from its content, and if you know of anyone who wishes to be add to our mailing list, please get them to email us –

landlordsolutions@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk

Landlord and Agent updates

Properties to rent

If you are a private landlord or letting agent and have a property you are looking to advertise for rent, particularly that is suitable for customers on low incomes or claiming Universal Credit, please let us know.

You can find out further information here

Landlord Solutions Project

This project working with both landlords and tenants will look at helping to resolve any issues before a notice is even served, or in the early stages of an eviction notice with the aim being to sustain the tenancy where possible.

Tenancy ready guide

Our financial inclusion team have produced a handy guide that will be useful for any new or current tenants.

The information will help guide you through setting up bills and planning budgets so that tenants can be as ready as possible when they move in, enjoy their home, and not worry about getting into arrears or debt.

Energy matters

See the latest on energy assistance available in the Borough.

Latest news for the private rented sector

Click on the button for further information and links on the latest news relating to the rented sector to include:

  • New deal for private renters published by the Government
  • Our new Tenancy ready guide
  • Update to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations
  • Changes to Right to Rent rules in place from 6 April 2022
  • Update on the Rogue Landlord Database

For further information please see our Landlord Information Zone which covers a variety of areas and topical information:

Regulation Reminders

Our Private Sector Housing Team are coming across cases of the below regulations not being followed in the rented sector, please see below reminders:

Deposit Protection Schemes

You must place your tenants’ deposit in a tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme if you rent out your home on an assured shorthold tenancy that started after 6 April 2007.

Electrical safety standards regulations

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require that landlords have property electrics checked at least every 5 years by a properly qualified person. The electrics must meet standards and landlords must give their tenants proof of this

Tenant fees act

The Tenant Fees Act bans most letting fees and caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rented sector in England.

The ban on tenant fees applies to new or renewed tenancy agreements signed on or after 1 June 2019.

Client Money Protection

You must join a ‘client money protection scheme’ if you’re a letting or property management agent in the private rented sector in England and you hold clients’ money.

Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard

Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place

GDPR registration reminder

Landlords are being reminded by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to check whether they need to register and pay a fee if they have not already done so.

Service updates

The House Project properties required!

The House Project are looking for one-bedroom properties (not a shared house unless it has its own Kitchen & Bathroom). Properties ideally need to be no more than £500 p/m, this is to make the property affordable for young people moving forward.

The rent, bond and any damages are covered for the first year by a guarantee agreement signed by Warwickshire County Council. Equitable shorthold tenancy agreement will be in place, created by WCC Legal Team as some young people are just under 18yrs old.

Tenants will receive ongoing support from the House Project support workers, and landlords have direct contact with a House Project Manager.

For further information please contact:

Matt Smith - Mobile: 07500 606669

E-mail: mattsmith@warwickshire.gov.uk

Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

For further information please see our website

or contact the Communities Team on 024 7637 6492.

Veterans Hubs and Outreach and Support Officer

As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, in partnership with The Veterans Contact Point (VCP), we developing local Veterans Hubs and there is a new Armed Forces Community Outreach and Support Officer which if you have any tenants who are part of the Armed Forces Community and are in need of some support in areas such as employment, health, housing or finance you can refer them to the VCP.

For further information on the support available please see our website:

Warwickshire Switch and Save

This is a scheme to help get cheaper gas and electricity bills. In partnership with Act on Energy, who help households looking to switch suppliers.

Safe in Warwickshire

This is brought to you by the multi-agency Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board. See the various campaigns taking place to make Warwickshire safer.

Useful information

The Government has produced a series of useful 'how to' guides for the private rented sector in England. Please take time to read these informative guides:

How to rent:

The checklist for renting in England

How to let:

A guide for current and prospective private residential landlords in England

This guide is for current and prospective landlords. It explains the responsibilities, legal requirements, and best practice for letting a property in the private rented sector.

What is Local Housing Allowance (LHA)

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) the way of working out housing benefit/housing element of Universal Credit -

Universal Credit

What Universal Credit means for landlords

Property standards

The housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. It was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and applies to residential properties in England and Wales.

There is also the new Fitness for Human Habitation Act – See guidance for landlords

NBBC services for landlords

NBBC website

Updated and revised private landlords’ section on the NBBC website including the informative landlord information zone, and previous newsletter and forum content.

Landlord Solutions Project

This project working with both landlords and tenants will look at helping to resolve any issues before a notice is even served, or in the early stages of an eviction notice with the aim being to sustain the tenancy where possible.

Housing Solutions Support Scheme

We have a variety of options to help prospective tenants access the private rented sector.

Properties to rent

If you are a private landlord or letting agent and have a property you are looking to advertise for rent, particularly that is suitable for customers on low incomes or claiming Universal Credit, please let us know.

You can find out further information here

Landlord Accreditation Scheme

The aims of the scheme are to encourage, acknowledge and promote good standards of privately rented accommodation and to assist landlords and tenants to undertake their responsibilities to each other.

Shared Private Sector Housing Service

Nuneaton and Bedworth and North Warwickshire Borough Councils are now operating a Shared Private Sector Housing Service. If you have properties in either area then all inspections, licence applications and queries will be dealt with by Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Please contact 024 7637 6376 or privatesectorhousing@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk if you wish to speak with us.

It is hoped this will make it simpler for local landlords by only having to deal with one team and one set of uniform standards.

Duty to cooperate referral form – Landlords and Letting Agents

If you are having issues with your tenant(s), and that they may lose their accommodation due to this, please complete and return the referral form so we can see how we can assist to try and prevent this loss of accommodation.

Social media for landlords

Tweet us: @NBLandlordforum or follow us on our LinkedIn page and LinkedIn Group.

Credits:

Created with images by william87 - "Street in England with typical houses" • kerkezz - "Real estate agent passing keys to his client" • Monkey Business - "Hispanic family outside home for rent" • thodonal - "Concept of saving protection" • Arthon - "Planting small trees on coins and a natural green background, money growth concept." • christianchan - "Helpful Tips Concept On Top View Office Desktop"