What are the implications of more of us becoming landlords?
The headlines have been telling us that the number of landlords in the UK has been increasing in recent years as more people choose to taking their savings out of the banks and reinvest it in property.
Though this could go some way to solving the so-called housing crisis that the country is currently in the midst of, we now find ourselves in a situation where a lot of inexperienced people are becoming landlords for the first time.
Although there are plenty useful resources available to new landlords to educate them before leasing to tenants, will their lack of experience affect tenant experience and satisfaction? Will the inexperienced landlord’s loss be the experienced landlord’s gain?
Or will it have a negative effect on the reputation of landlords as a whole?
I’d be interested to hear the community’s thoughts on this.
Chris
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Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 1130 - Articles: 2
12:06 PM, 1st August 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Luke P” at “01/08/2016 – 11:46“:
Thanks for the information, Luke.
I suspect the HHSRS course might only be of use to some of the “inspectors” I’ve read about if it explained highly technical points such as how to tell a double glazed window from a wooden one; what does a smoke alarm look like and how does it work; how many relatives you can allow to visit before it needs licensing as a HMO, and last but not least, how to speak to people so you don’t wind them up … 🙂
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
12:12 PM, 1st August 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Mandy Thomson” at “01/08/2016 – 12:06“:
It’s well worth taking the course. There’s a LOT more involved when conducting a proper HHSRS report than I suspect most councils think. You have to score hazards, show calculations, give worked examples and assess the hazards accordingly.
Certainly locally and in a few other areas, the LA sends a numpty who just writes down what he doesn’t like the look of and calls it ‘a report’.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 1130 - Articles: 2
5:03 PM, 1st August 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Luke P” at “01/08/2016 – 12:12“:
Further to licensing inspections, I’ve been looking into this further. Reading between the lines, it looks to me like LAs rarely, if ever will carry out a full formal HHSRS assessment for a licensing inspection, though I can’t find a definitive answer. However, I know a lot of authorities don’t carry out inspections at all.
Moreover, the landlord licence inspection applies other standards, such as Decent Homes and also looks at other factors such as anti social behaviour.
Having said this, I found a form designed for use by Croydon licensing inspectors. The form prompts the officer to use a HHSRS dwelling assessment form if serious defects are present. A copy can be seen here https://www.croydon.gov.uk/sites/default/files/articles/downloads/Landlord_inspection_template.pdf Unfortunately, I can’t find a copy of the HHSRS dwelling assessment form.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 12
12:22 PM, 8th August 2016, About 10 years ago
I am just watching a BBC programe featuring a landlord with 40 properties which would make Victorian slums look palatial. 30 yrs ago I became an accidental landlord because of the then tory policies which crashed the market. AS I was confident with being a landlord of one property after several years I went back into it, I only have 3 properties which are all very well developed and we take absolute responsibility for them as lovely places to live, hence rented out to good people on long term lets. Anyone can buy a dive and just watch the money roll in or you provide a great place for someone to live, what percentages of accidental or professional who are good or bad. As for legislation as a ‘good’ landlord I am registered on here and other sites and they keep me up to date, for example the legionella checks, i actually informed my management company of that one.