can a repair man let himself in?

Wee_Willy_Harris

The implementation failures of one Local Authority do not deminish the merits of SL. In areas where implementation has been more resolute it has had a measurable and positive impact.

However, to say that there was no consultation with landlords is simply incorrect. Information packs were sent to over 1,000 landlords and 4 landlord associations. Of those returned, most were in favour of SL. However, if you missed it, a copy can be found here....

http://www.salford.gov.uk/consultationphase1.htm

Wee_Willy_Harris

I like the IOW... What have they done to you???

clutton_2

now that you have sent me this link.. i do recall seeing something similar from manchester which was sooo biased it had clearly not been designed by anyone who had impartiality as part of their remit


This is a gem of a question from the Landlords questionaire...

"Selective licensing will help make areas more attractive to potential renters, and so increase rental values and property prices" - yes no dont know

obviously motivated by the "lets bribe these landlords with specious promises of property value increases" brigade....




this Salford survey does, on the whole seem a whole lot better than Manchester's effort and in general terms less biased - but with the exception of this next Q

this question from your resident survey amuses me - as how can any one individual tenant know all landlords in the area - its like saying that one landlords knows all tenants in the area....


""

In your experience, how many private landlords in your area take these actions?

All landlords Hardly any landlords
Most landlords No landlords
A few landlords Don't know

9.

how how
Th

how di

clutton_2

you will have such a lovely time on IOW - it will be full of landlords !!!

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

clutton wrote: »

The Scotland register is still not up and running after what 2 years ? again councils dont have the resources..

it is pointless passing legislation with no teeth to implement it...

That's not quite true the register has been up and running for the last 18 months. At first some councils where more proactive than others with unregistered LLs, but most are now 'on the ball' even if it's just for the money they can rake in.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Firstly, it's not MY resident survey.

Secondly, most residents in dense communities will be aware of the tenure of their neighbours. They will also be aware of police activity, warden activity, general criminality, damage and repair issues at any specific address. With that knowledge and the experience that comes with it, the question isn't that difficult to answer.

clutton_2

I do know that A landlord register is inevitable.. what i have been arguing for today is for a register that is effective, that is well thought out, that serves a purpose, that has some teeth, and that is a genuine attempt to get rid of bad landlords.... not just yet another tax on landlords with no results....

So i am encouraged by Shelter (scotland) summary of the Scottish experience..

""

We conclude that landlord registration is not yet fulfilling the expectations placed upon it; indeed, that it may not be able to do so.

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]

We recommend that the Scottish Government should:

[/FONT][/FONT]

[*]Carry out an independent review on the effectiveness of landlord registration, looking at the barriers, such as legal issues, which are preventing the system working effectively to drive up standards and get rid of the worst landlords.
[*]Clarify the aims of landlord registration and ensure local authorities have the means and resources to not only administer the process of registering landlords, but also effectively address worst practice.
[*]Carry out a national awareness raising campaign for tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities.
[*]Increase funding for local authorities to ensure that they can implement the 'fit and proper person test' and carry out enforcement actions as appropriate.

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]

We recommend that the local authorities should:

[/FONT][/FONT]

[*]Increase resources to apply the 'fit and proper person' test and build on the good practice already being carried out.
[*]Identify bad landlords and work with the relevant teams to ensure that private landlords are reported through all the different channels to the landlord registration team. These include the police, homelessness teams, the Private Rented Housing Panel and Housing Benefit sections.
[*]Raise awareness about tenants' rights and ensure tenants are protected and supported when they make a complaint.
[*]Ensure sanctions are used effectively to increase good landlords practice and get rid of the rogue landlords.
IF English government is willing to learn the lessons from the Scottish experience - then a register or license may be effective in driving up standards... only time will tell .. i truly hope it does...

Wee_Willy_Harris

Personally, I think many of the issues faced by both LLs and tenants could be addresses with 2 measures. The first is the easiest, mandatory membership of a recognised professional body for all LL and LA. Landlord membership costs will be offset by the tangeable benefits already available and much of the duty that would otherwise fall upon government could be born by the professional bodies, largely funded by the increased membership. The second, I'm afraid, has always been an issue and that's the education of tenants.

clutton_2

""The first is the easiest, mandatory membership of a recognised professional body for all LL and LA.""

at least we agree on something

re tenants educating themselves... its not as if there is not a plethora of advice centres / web sites / council offices / books availab le already ... but you cant force folks to read stuff..

Wee_Willy_Harris

As long as renting is seen as such a "soft" issue when compared with ownership, this problem will continue. I agree that there is MORE than enough legislation to protect both sides, but in many cases neither side understands or researches the issue. You see property owners on here talking about "renting the house out" like it's planting a money tree. No idea of the risks or remedies, and no understanding of what CAN go wrong, much less what to do when it DOES go wrong. With professional bodies involved, a code of practice can be developed to ensure that both sides understand what is being agreed to and where to go if there is a dispute. LA NEED to be regulated as they are seen as professional organisation who know what they are doing. As such, both LLs and tenants take their advice/actions at face value when we both know how little some of them understand about their own business.

I don't think this will solve every issue we currently face, but I do think it would be a step in the right direction.

But the major problem is that one of lifes basic needs (housing) is currently seen as a triviality by a significant number of people, unless it is home ownership. Many people have a far greater understanding of how the HP on the plasma screen works than they do about the roof over their (and the TVs) heads.