Welcome to the landlord forum eNewsletter – keeping you up to date with information from the recent forum along with any important updates through our designated webpages for landlords and agents.
Please share this newsletter with anyone you feel will benefit from its content, and if you know of anyone who wishes to be added to our mailing list, please ask them to email us – landlordsolutions@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk
Recent forum recap
The last landlord forum was held on Wednesday, 12 July 2023. Below is a recap on the event and links to the presentations.
Financial Inclusion
Local help and support in challenging times - update by Sally Roberts, our Financial Inclusion Shared Services Manager:
NRLA update by our local representative Don Robbie on Rental reform, Guide to the Renters (Reform) Bill
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) also updated on changes to Right to Rent checks following the pandemic and an increase in the fines:
Environmental Health
Due to an increase in complaints about rats in rented properties, our Environmental Health Team asked us to share information on this at the forum for your information.
Energy Efficiency
Current NBBC energy offers and information:
Landlord and Agent updates
Updated how to rent guide
A new ‘How to Rent’ guide has been released by the Government.
Landlords in England are reminded they MUST serve this version at the start of any new tenancy or renewal (when a statutory periodic tenancy).
Understanding the possession action process: A guide for private landlords in England
This guide is for people who are letting a house, flat or any part in England to tenants in the private rented sector while living in another property. It is focused on landlords and agents letting to tenants on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy or an Assured Tenancy.
It is looking to help you to understand what rights and responsibilities you have as a landlord when you need to use the courts to take possession of your property.
However, the guide does not cover leasehold, those who are on a licence to occupy (for example, those who do not have an exclusive right to occupy a property, or who live in tied accommodation related to their employment), holiday lets or ‘resident landlords’ who let to lodgers.
Modern Slavery awareness
Nigel Oseman is the recently appointed Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) for Warwickshire. The role is funded by The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) with the overarching mission of working across agencies to improve identification of and outcomes for adult victims/survivors of Modern Slavery and/or Human Trafficking.
Nigel has really ‘hit the ground running’ with infectious enthusiasm and we are confident that the new service will add real value and assist partners in identifying and supporting those in a position of exploitation.
He is keen to link in with Landlords, Agents, Hoteliers, and associated professionals to increase awareness and understanding around the issues surrounding this crime type.
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. Please share with your current and future tenants!
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:
• How to rent guide
• Understanding the possession action process: A guide for private landlords in England
• Rental reform - new deal for private renters published by the Government
• Our 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:
Financial Inclusion
Our NBBC Financial Inclusion Team are here to help with budgeting and managing money, managing any council debts, getting help with fuel bills, identifying any benefits to claim, identifying any additional money, or health and wellbeing support.
Our designated website area has a wealth of contact details for both local and national support organisations offering choice and different access channels depending on people’s circumstances.
We have an interactive tenancy ready guide, and this would be ideal for landlords and agents to give to their prospective tenants to read, work through and complete, prior to their tenancy or at the sign-up stage.
If your tenant has a bank or building society account that has their benefits and wages paid into and it is overdrawn, the bank will usually use this money to reduce the level of any overdraft. However, regardless of whether the account is overdrawn, you have the right to choose how the money paid into your account can be used. This is called the ‘first right of appropriation’. This is a temporary measure, and it allows you to earmark essential bills that you need to be paid, such as your mortgage, rent, gas and electric. A very useful tip to know!
Many people on Universal Credit (UC) do not realise that they have to also apply to the Local Authority direct for help with their Council Tax, by claiming Council Tax Support. It is important that people on low incomes, such as UC, complete a form and apply for Council Tax Support on the NBBC website - here is the link to apply
Further useful links for your tenants:
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 (WCC). 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 email: 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 02476 376 492.
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
This guide is for tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. It provides a checklist and more detailed information on each stage of the letting process.
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.
Current Local Housing Allowance rates
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 like us on Facebook, LinkedIn page and LinkedIn Group