We need to wake up and smell the coffee!

We need to wake up and smell the coffee!

9:04 AM, 20th November 2018, About 5 years ago 88

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It is easy in life to think that you as one person can make little difference – wrong.

Shopping in B&Q for example!

You spend a few or a few hundred pounds on materials for your rented house – possibly one which has been wrecked by rogue tenants. You get to the counter and see B&Q have their little collection boxes just past the till for Shelter, an organisation which constantly hammers landlords and seems to think we are the rogues. This is something we might have unthinkingly ignored.

Well the Landlords Alliance has now begun a campaign to shake us out of this apathy.

We should not  give our money to organisations which support those whose mission seems to be to destroy our businesses and livelihoods; whose latest campaign is to get us to house tenants on benefits whether we like it or not, whether they can afford it or not, whether they make riskier tenants or not – whilst housing no-one themselves.

No. We need to wake up and smell the coffee.

So I for one, have withdrawn my custom from B&Q as of today.

I ask them to instead donate to a positive charity which they can be proud of supporting.

There are an estimated 2 million landlords in the UK who with their families and also the people who work for them and shop at B&Q have tremendous consumer power.

I urge other landlords to make the pledge today: ‘I will not shop at B&Q until they confirm they have stopped giving money to Shelter’.

 

The New Landlords Alliance is launched: Click Here


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Comments

Luke P

9:14 AM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 22/11/2018 - 08:36
Where’s the suggestion Shelter is fighting back?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

9:31 AM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 22/11/2018 - 09:14
I think it is good that other PRS facing media are promoting this, and by default the National Landlords Alliance, which is a fledgling organisation with a lot to learn. Nevertheless, I am supporting the Alliance despite a few shortcomings in my opinion.However, the alliance is the only organisation which actually seems intent on fighting for landlords whilst the rest have become self-serving, particularly in regards to cosying up to local authorities which are rolling out Selective Licensing.

What I don't like about the Alliance is that Larry is too open about his political views sometimes, but I'm confident he will learn to temper that. I hope he doesn't make the same mistake as other landlord associations by raising money by promoting suppliers to landlords, but so far so good on that front.

I would be happy to pay 10X the current membership fee to the Alliance if it can gain traction through focusing entirely on fighting for the landlords rights. Meanwhile, I will continue to promote the aims of the Alliance I agree with and provide sincere guidance to Larry wherever possible. I think his heart is in the right place.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

9:32 AM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 22/11/2018 - 09:14
You read their response in the middle of that article:

"Yesterday evening, Shelter’s director of fundraising Andy Harris told EYE: “Shelter’s partnership with B&Q provides vital funding for a specialist team of DIY Skills Advisers, as well as much-needed support for our other vital frontline services, helping thousands of people every year.

“The B&Q DIY Skills Advisers are located across the country, and provide practical help to people settling into a new home after a period of homelessness, as well as supporting others to stay in their current home by making essential improvements.
“This includes teaching basic DIY skills, such as how to paint walls, in addition to carrying out key jobs like fitting extra security locks.

“Thanks to B&Q’s generous support, this service alone has helped almost 1,400 people to create homes where they can feel happier, safer and more secure.”
He said of the relationship with Marks & Spencer: “M&S has been supporting Shelter’s helpline for 13 years, and donate 5% of each sale from its Festive Collection.
“In that time M&S have raised an incredible £3.4m for Shelter’s emergency helpline – allowing us to answer hundreds of thousands of calls from people faced with homelessness or bad housing.
“Last year, this crucial contribution funded every call answered by the helpline over the Christmas period.”

Luke P

9:38 AM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 22/11/2018 - 09:32
Ahh…that’s just part of the standard reply Lakin is sending back to letters/emails. Kingfisher are in the spotlight for other reasons at the moment, so ket’s continue to remind them of the basics…don’t bite the hand that feeds you!

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/business/kingfisher-boss-v-ronique-laury-s-project-in-doubt-after-lacklustre-sales-dxq9pzjjb

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/kingfisher-ceo-veronique-laury-diy-bq-castorama-trading-update-spain-portugal-russia-exit-share-a8644546.html

Larry Sweeney

16:09 PM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Thank you Mark and also Neil.
I certainly have no time for political correctness and we are riven with it here in the UK. Too much BS.
The Alliance is not interested in selling anything, just doing exactly as promised. Fighting back against the tirade of lies about the PRS. What we need is members. Readers help us to get the job done.
http://Www.landlordsalliance.co.uk

AJ

20:38 PM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

20:56 PM, 22nd November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by AJ at 22/11/2018 - 20:38
That’s hilarious, we have certainly rattled the computer screen of the bitter and twisted keyboard warrior who wrote that article LOL

The Police might not find his hate speech so funny though.

paul robinson

8:09 AM, 24th November 2018, About 5 years ago

Interesting read, fully support not supporting companies that donate to shelter.

But why shop at b&q anyway, it’s generally overpriced and even the trade point section has now changed it pricing. Screw fix is too!

Toolstation, comprehensive and much cheaper. Selco for ease of building materials and good prices on some materials. But set up some trade accounts if you need other stuff on a regular basis.

Bill

8:49 AM, 24th November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by David Lester at 20/11/2018 - 09:43
Screwfix is part of the same group as B&Q

Snow Bourg

8:56 AM, 24th November 2018, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by David Lester at 20/11/2018 - 09:43
I believe Screwfix are part of the kingfisher Group that also own B&Q

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