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Landlords in the
CLASSroom
LANDLORDS and letting
agents in Liverpool have been getting information and advice to help
raise standards in the private rented sector.
The City Council's CLASS - Citywide Landlord Accreditation Safety
Scheme; team has run the first in a programme of development
courses for landlords and agents.
It was held in conjunction with the North West Property Owners
Association and presentations were given on:-
The law of agency
Fire safety in Houses in Multiple Occupation ( HMO's)
HMO and management regulations
Credit Unions – how they can help a landlord and tenant.
The course, which was
oversubscribed, was attended by 28 landlords and agents, all of whom
were presented with a certificate and the current Landlord Handbook.
"The feedback we have received was very positive and there is
clearly a lot of interest from landlords in getting advice and
support. We want to work with landlords and help drive
up standards in this sector and those who have joined CLASS will get
the information they need to help them manage their properties to a
high standard.
The council has agreed a 10 point pledge to encourage good landlords
and these courses are a way in which we can help landlords to
improve standards." said Councillor Ann O'Byrne, cabinet member for
housing.
Landlords and letting agents can join CLASS for free and benefits
include : discounts on mandatory HMO licence fees, free promotion on
the council's website and access to advertise properties on Propertypool
Plus. For more information call:- 0151 233 8266 or by
email.
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The adoption of a Liverpool Standard for private rented housing in
the city which will include minimum standards based on the Decent
Homes Standard and also best practice in the management of
tenancies.
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A re-launch of the Landlord Accreditation scheme, publicising the
benefits of the scheme and targeted at particular sectors of the
private rented sector such as new landlords. Greater public access
to, and promotion of the list of accredited landlords highlighting
their 'beacon' status will be provided.
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Incentives for good landlords will be available for those achieving
the required standard. These could include access to funding
available in renewal areas and for bringing empty homes back into
use; access to Propertypool Plus for advertising vacant properties
and availability of the tenancy bond scheme.
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A 'Scores on the Doors' service will be developed in which
prospective tenants can enquire whether landlords are registered,
accredited, licensed (if an HMO) or a member of a recognised
landlords organization. This could be developed further to include a
'rate your landlord' facility where current and former
tenants can post comments about the quality of accommodation and
service provided by their landlord.
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A confidential freephone line where people can report unregistered
or poor quality landlords. This would trigger an investigation from
the enforcement team.
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Dedicated web pages for Liverpool landlords will be established to
publicise the Liverpool Standard, the accreditation scheme and
general news items of interest to landlords.
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A Landlords Advisory Group comprised of landlords and also lettings
and managing agents will be formed.
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A Rogue Landlords Hit Squad will seek out and investigate poor
landlords and take appropriate action.
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A feasibility study and consultation will be undertaken on a
Citywide Selective Licensing Scheme. |
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Small firms need
same protection as domestic energy consumers
THE energy regulator Ofgem
has announced a series of measures offering greater protection for
households in the energy market – leading the Federation of Small
Businesses to call for similar protection for struggling small
firms.
Under the plans energy suppliers will be forced to review the
tariffs they offer domestic customers, including restricting the
number they provide to four per fuel type and providing information
about the cheapest deals available, even if they are from a
competitor. Suppliers which treat customers unfairly will face fines
under the new rules.
The FSB is arguing that small firms, which often struggle to switch
suppliers as a result of 'rollover' contracts imposed with little or
no notice, tying them in to unfair contract terms, are also
significant energy users and so should be offered the same
protection as domestic customers.
FSB research has found that 1 in 4 small firms had been rolled
over without their knowledge and an overwhelming 82% of respondents
said they would support the abolition of rollovers.
John Allan, Chairman of FSB Merseyside, West Cheshire and Wigan
said:- "Small businesses are important energy consumers and so
should be offered the same protection from suppliers as domestic
customers are receiving.
When we talk about small business finance mounting overheads, such
as energy costs, are often overlooked but keeping costs down is
central to maintaining a healthy cash flow.
It is essential that businesses can proactively control these costs
by switching suppliers to better deals, but certain practices,
particularly imposing rollover contracts, leave them with inflated
bills and little room to do anything about them.
The best advice for small business owners is always to shop around
for a better deal, but Ofgem has to put in place the same protective
measures as for domestic customers to allow them to shop around the
energy market."
The FSB is supporting the Micro Business and Energy Contract
Rollover Private Members' Bill, tabled by Caroline Lucas MP, which
had its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, 25 January
2013.
The Bill aims to tackle rollover contracts and the practise of
locking small firms into un-negotiated and often more expensive
terms for a full 12 months. If passed it would limit this to 30
days, helping to deliver a fairer energy market for micro
businesses.
The Federation is to field questions on energy costs at the first of
a series of free panel events being held to discuss and provide
information on all aspects of small business finance and funding.
The event taking place next Monday, 25 February 2013, at the Old
Printworks, Park Road, Ormskirk. For more information and to submit
a question for the panel business owners should visit the FSB
website.
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