This month, as lockdown measures around the UK have slowly started to ease, we’ve seen signs on the lettings market bounce back to life and more news of upcoming schemes. The below stories reflect the biggest updates we’ve had this past month within the sector.
At Kamma, we understand that property licensing is complex, inconsistent and ever changing. Our technology and software cuts through that complexity to keep you on top of all the changes with clear and accurate advice. We analyse and sort data to help agents, landlords and surveyors understand the impact of Property Licensing and Planning Permission on their properties and assets. By leveraging technology and data, we want to ensure that no tenant has to live in substandard or unsafe accommodation again.
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May’s Top Licensing Story:
Residents on lockdown in Slough being asked to identify rogue landlords in the area
Residents, forced to stay in all day are while lockdown measures persist, are being asked by Slough council to keep a look out for families crammed into overcrowded and possibly illegally-operated HMOs.
Council officers will have been frustrated by the lockdown from slowing down their proactive searches for unlicensed properties. In the meantime, residents are being urged to spot the signs of an illegal HMO and report it to the council.
Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “During the lockdown with people at home during the day, they may have spotted a property where several families live in poor conditions.
“These are the people we want to help by getting their landlords to obtain licences which means there have been basic checks made to assess the standard is acceptable”.
Other Top Stories:
Landlords brace themselves for new Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS
Landlords operating BTLs around England soon need to make sure that electrical installation inspections and testing are carried out for all new tenancies in England from 1 July 2020 or from 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies. This is a result of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
The new rules will mean that landlords must guarantee every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least once every five years by a qualified person. The regulations also state that “a landlord is required to obtain a report of the results of the inspection and test, supply it to each tenant within 28 days and retain a copy until the next inspection is due”.
Croydon vows to renew its huge licensing scheme
The council first launched its borough-wide scheme in 2015 and covers more than 36,400 properties but is due to end in a couple of months.
Earlier in the month Croydon gave the go-ahead to renew its landlord licensing scheme for another five years. The scheme however will have to secure approval from central government first before it can be implemented.
Croydon council consulted residents, landlords, letting agents, community groups and the public on a variety of potential schemes. There was greatest support for the most comprehensive scheme, which covers the entire borough, and is aimed at targeting antisocial behaviour and poor housing conditions.
The existing scheme has inspected over 13,000 properties, served more than 1,000 enforcement notices, issued 75 prohibition orders, and fined or prosecuted over 40 landlords.
Contact us or book a demo now to understand how Kamma can solve property licensing for you.
