What is the solution to pet ownership amid the Fees Ban? Pet
deposit or raise the rent?
˝ of landlords surveyed have
experienced damage to their rental properties by pets. A spike
in pet ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown has led to an
increased risk of damage to rental properties. These findings
come more than a year after the Tenant Fees Act was introduced,
which prohibits landlords and agents from charging any
additional fees to tenants, other than those permitted by the
Act. This includes pet deposits. The survey carried out by the
Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS),
the only not for profit tenancy deposit scheme in the UK, also
found that 70% of landlords feel that tenants should not
automatically be allowed to keep a pet in a rental property.
Despite that, 82% of landlords still allow tenants to keep a pet
in their rental. The poll, which involved 1,500 landlords,
also showed that ⅔ would want to be able to raise the rent if
they were forced to allow their tenant to keep a pet in their
property. Interestingly, 51% of landlords said they would be
prepared not to raise the rent if pet deposits were reinstated
again. Prior to the legislation being introduced in June 2019, a
⅓ of landlords asked their tenants for an additional pet
deposit. Only four per cent charged a higher rent and 63% did
neither.
Steve Harriott, Chief Executive of TDS, said:- "We're a
nation of animal lovers and with so many families, couples and
individuals being told to stay home during the lockdown, it's no
surprise that interest in taking home a dog or cat soared over
the course of that period. However, as our survey has shown,
there is a potential conflict here between pet ownership among
tenants and landlords who are concerned about the impact of
animal damage. The issue is that landlords are unable to
introduce additional fees because of the Fee Ban. We want to
know what people think about this. Do they want pet deposits
reinstated or could rents be raised to cover any additional
costs that may be incurred for a renter keeping an animal at the
property? Our findings show there is an ongoing debate on this
issue, but until it's finalised, we recommend all tenants are
open and honest when it comes to their pet ownership and
communicate with their landlord so a compromise between both
parties can be sought."
According to the veterinary charity PDSA, ˝ of UK adults own a
pet. Nearly 11 million people are cat owners and 9.9 million own
a dog. At the same time more and more people are having to rent,
according to the English Housing Survey 2017 to 2018. The poll
showed that 20% (4.6 million) households in England rented their
home from a private landlord between 2016 to 2018. Nearly a
decade earlier, only 14% of households were privately renting.
Single Liverpudlian men
wanted for new hit online dating show Zoom to Groom
CALLING all
Liverpudlian singletons, you are wanted to take part in online
dating show Zoom To Groom Watch a clip of Zoom to Groom...
There’s a new online dating show sweeping the UK and ‘Zoom
to Groom’ is calling for single men from Liverpool to
apply. The concept is simple: singletons are set up on 90
second speed dates, with 3 possible matches; and their dates are
broadcast LIVE on air, Saturday nights, from 10pm. Viewers can
watch and interact with the laughs, the awkward moments, and the
blossoming love on:- Facebook, Youtube and Twitch. Zoom to Groom
became a cult online hit after married dad of 3, Andy Dunlop,
from Scotland, decided to create some home entertainment during
lockdown with his own:- 'Virtual Pub' The Stayin'
Inn. From Mondays to Fridays he hosts pub quizzes for charity,
hitting over 100,000 participants and raising over ₤50,000 so
far for various causes. But on Saturday nights he decided to do
something different, and Zoom to Groom was born.
Creator and host Andy said:- “Zoom to Groom started as a
group chat with friends about how difficult dating was going to
be during lockdown. We could never have anticipated how popular
it would become. From the start it was clear people loved
watching it, as well as taking part.”
The show caught the eye of BAFTA winning Producer / Director
Hannah Currie, from Glasgow, who came on board to launch series
2 of Zoom to Groom; with a revamped look and some unexpected
twists and turns. The new series has reached over 100,000
viewers cross platform, and counting. Hannah said:- "My
friends told me about Zoom to Groom so I tuned in and honestly
it was the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all year, never
mind in lockdown. I reached out to Andy about developing the
show for a bigger audience and the buzz just keeps growing and
growing!"
Single people who want to apply just need to fill out this
simple online application form and we will be in touch! To get
the application form please click on
here. To watch highlights,
head to
YouTube.
Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region
and surroundings
THE total number of UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory
confirmed, within the UK, has risen by
747 cases and the total
number now stand at
299,426, that includes tests carried out by
commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National
totals.
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the
total, was reported to be
14
according to the Department
of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a
positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS
laboratory is
45,752.
In England, there are a total of 257,859 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 45,210 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 2,502 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 1,555 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 2,059 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 1,204 confirmed cases
► Halton, 698 confirmed cases.
► Blackpool, 1,042 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen,
1,297 confirmed cases.
.
Under local lockdown
warning
Numbers up by 16 cases.
► Bolton, 1,945 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 1,322 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 2,026 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 2,229 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 7,005 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 3,135 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 2,022 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 1,819 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,692 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 1,578 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 1,361 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 2,167 confirmed cases.
An urgent warning has
also been issued to residents in Pendle...