New rent increase rules could affect landlord income warns letting agency
7 months ago | 1 comments
Council unveils free landlord service to prevent evictions
12:01 AM, 23rd September 2025, 7 months ago
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A council has introduced a free early-intervention programme to help private landlords in resolving tenancy disputes before they escalate to eviction.
The ‘Call Before You Serve’ initiative focuses on keeping tenants in their homes, cutting down on costly legal battles, and reducing the risk homelessness in the borough.
Croydon Council says it is offering landlords practical guidance on managing rent arrears, navigating legal obligations and finding alternatives to eviction.
By addressing issues early, it says the programme will help avoid the financial and emotional strain that evictions place on both landlords and tenants.
Scheme to tackle ‘housing challenge’
Croydon’s executive mayor, Jason Perry, said: “Everybody deserves a safe, decent and well-managed home, whether they’re a landlord or a tenant.
“This service is a key part of ensuring everyone in Croydon has access to stable, long-term housing.”
He added: “By offering early support, we can reduce the number of evictions, keep people in their homes and tackle the housing challenges in our borough.”
Landlord and tenant mediation
Croydon’s scheme also offers mediation to settle disputes and help deliver solutions for maintaining a tenancy.
The move comes as the council has more than 3,600 households in temporary accommodation and more than 8,600 on the housing waiting list.
The council processes around 400 homelessness applications every month, yet affordable homes remain scarce.
Its initiative will, it hopes, reduce temporary housing need by resolving issues before eviction notices are issued.
Call Before You Serve
Croydon’s programme follows similar efforts in Wolverhampton and Milton Keynes, where councils have launched similar schemes to promote stable tenancies.
These initiatives also offer mediation, financial advice and tailored support to avert evictions, helping both landlords and tenants avoid legal proceedings.
For more details on Croydon’s ‘Call Before You Serve’ service, visit the council’s website.
Tags:
Call Before You Serve, Croydon housing support, Croydon landlord service, homelessness prevention Croydon, landlord advice London, prevent evictions UK, tenancy mediation UK
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Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 62
10:11 AM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Oh really . Would this be the same councils who tell tenanrs not to leave even after a court order until the bailiffs turn up. I canr see too many landlords wanting to work with Councils who show no respect towards landlords. 🙄
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3511 - Articles: 5
12:13 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
I thought the reason whole reason why the Ombudsman was included as part of the RRB was for this exact purpose?
Do you mean (shock, horror – not) that the money we will be paying for the Ombudsman ‘service’ is not actually necessary after all……?
Member Since September 2024 - Comments: 95
1:55 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Many local authorities are now prepared to talk directly with landlords for this very reason. I always talk to mine before I increase my rents, knowing that they are above the LHA. Confirmation that they are prepared to cover the difference reassures my tenants at what could otherwise be a stressful time.
However if the reason is for anti-social behaviour, I would worry about a LA simply attempting to delay the inevitable at the cost of my neighbours and other tenants.
Perhaps if Croydon were to give an assurance that, if their mediation efforts fail, then they would rehouse the tenants immediately, saving lengthy court cases, it would give more landlords the reassurance this announcement is designed to give.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 97
5:15 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Its initiative will, it hopes, reduce temporary housing need by resolving issues before eviction notices are issued.
How is this going to reduce temporary housing ? there’s still going to be 3600
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 62
5:19 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
The issues are 99% rent arrears or antisocial behavior.
They cant be resolved the Councils… This is just an effort to stop landlords evicting because that then costs the council money to rehouse them.
After 30 years, i am selling my properties with HB tenants… Just not worth the effort.
Member Since September 2025 - Comments: 2
6:26 AM, 24th September 2025, About 7 months ago
What an absolute joke!….last thing we wish to hear is ” we are from the council and we re here to help”
We all know that their agenda is to destroy us and replace us with the big corporates .