Inspect East Midlands Ltd

04/07/2018

The FIA has reported that Bassetlaw Council has prosecuted a landlord who took advantage of her tenants by 'forcing' them to live in a nightmare property which had electrical faults, no fire alarms and insecure windows.

Among the issues at the house were no fire alarms, fire damage to the rear of the building, no adequate fire escapes, concerns over the security of the property after the front door had been nailed shut, insecure windows, inadequate internal doors, electrical faults and loose cabling, missing floorboards, loose carpets on a steep staircase and concerns over the heating system and insulation of the property.

A total of 17 areas of concern meant Jubb had to take immediate action on 11 counts and a fine of £6,500 was awarded.

https://www.fia.uk.com/news/rogue-birmingham-landlord-slapped-with-25k-fine.html

These cases serve as a vital reminder of the responsibilities building owners have, particularly regarding fire safety.

02/07/2018

I have had many questions relating to the new regulations surrounding the PRS in Nottingham, hopefully the information below will help.

Nottingham City Council is introducing a new licensing scheme, which will mean landlords in most areas of the city will have to obtain a licence for each property they rent out to ensure it meets safety and quality standards.

A licence will last up to 5 years and one licence will be required for each private rented property – not each landlord. Landlords and property managers (person receiving the rent) need to apply for a licence, not tenants.

Please use the link below to take you to the Nottingham City Housing Web Page, and use the simple FAQ guide to see if it affects you:

https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/housing/landlords-guide-to-licensing-your-rented-properties/selective-

Nottingham City Council is a democratic organisation, with 55 Councillors representing electors in the 20 electoral wards in the City of Nottingham. Nottingham City Council, Loxley House, Station Street Nottingham, NG2 3NG Telephone: 0115 915 5555

22/06/2018

Today, the Government have announced that they are to conduct a review into licensing schemes, with a view to publishing their findings next year. They have also released guidance on the new HMO rules which will come into effect in October this year.

SELECTIVE LICENSING

The Government have said independent commissioners will be consulting with representative bodies for the industry and local authorities on selective licensing schemes. Local authorities operate the schemes in areas where there are widespread problems with private rented sector properties, allowing them to ensure that landlords are a ‘fit or proper person’ and make other stipulations concerning management of the property and appropriate safety measures.

Once further details of the review are made public we'll be making our submission which will push hard to explain why we think reliance on licensing schemes to tackle rogues is a bad idea.

HMO GUIDANCE TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Government has published guidance aimed at local authorities to help them understand changes for HMO licensing that will come into effect in October this year. The guidance will also be useful to managing agents and landlords.

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP said: “Everyone deserves a decent and safe place to live. Today's new guidance for landlords will further protect private renters against bad and overcrowded conditions and poor management practice. Selective Licensing government is also today announcing a review to look at how selective licensing is used and find out how well it is working.

Changes to HMOs were first proposed back in October 2016 and following a consultation on HMOs and residential property licensing reforms, the Government announced last month that from October this year HMOs will be subject to additional criteria including widening the definition of a HMO, introducing minimum rooms sizes and requirements around refuse and recycling.

11/06/2018

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON FEE BILL
On Tuesday, 5 June 2018, the Public Bill Committee heard oral evidence from ARLA Chief Executive David Cox, NALS and OpenRent, and in a later session, NLA and RLA

This was followed by further evidence sessions on Thursday, 7 June with representatives from government departments and consumer groups. Amendments to the Bill have also now been tabled.

The Bill now proceeds to the Committee Stage where the Bill will be considered line-by-line and tabled amendments debated. This must be done by 5pm on 12 June

01/05/2018

On Monday 30 April 2018, the Government announced that later this year they will review the requirements for Carbon Monoxide Alarms in homes across England and examine whether existing legislation remains fit for purpose and consider reforms.

Since 1 October 2015, if properties are occupied by tenants, landlords and their agents must ensure that a Carbon Monoxide alarm is fitted in every room which contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.

The rules also state that a smoke alarm is equipped on each floor of the property on which there is room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.

Checks must be made by the landlord or letting agent to make sure that each alarm is in proper working order on the first day of the tenancy.

The review will address whether alarms should be required for all methods of heating, including gas and oil, the cost of alarms and new research on deaths caused by Carbon Monoxide.

The review will also consider whether the cost of alarms is affecting installation rates and will look at new research into the number of carbon monoxide poisonings.

Is your housing stock covered? we still see the incorrect use / poor located alarms for: Heat, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide. Check on your next visit, or see copies of interim Inventory Inspection reports.

Regards,

Steve Lockwood BSc(Hons) IEng MIET ACIEH
Inspect East Midlands Ltd