NRLA unveils tie-up with homelessness charity

NRLA unveils tie-up with homelessness charity

0:01 AM, 16th December 2022, About A year ago 4

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It might come as a surprise to many landlords, but the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has announced a new partnership with Crisis, the national charity for homeless people that has, in recent months, criticised landlords in the private rental sector.

The move will see Crisis being able to work ‘more easily’ with landlords to house people – and the tenants will receive support to sustain their tenancy which will include a telephone advice line and training.

But the homelessness charity has also spoken out about landlords and wants to end Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

And it has highlighted that just one in 11 one-bedroom properties is affordable to tenants in England who are on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) who have to deal with ‘colossal rents’.

However, the organisation has spoken out to urge the government to increase housing benefit levels.

More landlords to help Crisis find accommodation

The collaboration will see NRLA helping to recruit more landlords to help Crisis find accommodation for individuals and families.

The tie-up will, they say, see both organisations playing a bigger role in reducing homelessness across the UK.

The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “This partnership recognises the importance that the private rented sector and responsible landlords play in providing safe, decent and secure accommodation, and gives practical support to both renters and landlords to sustain tenancies.

“We are delighted to be starting this innovative project with our friends at Crisis and, unlike some housing charities, Crisis works practically to assist homeless individuals to secure homes, get back on their feet and maintain tenancies for the long-term.”

He added: “We at the NRLA identify closely with this approach and believe that by working together we can go some way towards ending homelessness.”

‘Affordable properties for people to rent’

Matt Downie, the chief executive of Crisis, said: “If we have enough secure, affordable properties for people to rent, thousands of people can avoid falling into homelessness.

“That’s why we are delighted to work with the NRLA, drawing on their wealth of experience to support and identify landlords who want to be part of the solution to ending homelessness, while improving the experience for tenants and landlords alike.

“Together we’ll be offering a range of tailored services and advice to landlords, supporting them to take on tenancies, with confidence and security, with people who have previously been homeless.”

He added: “This includes a designated point of contact throughout the tenancy, matching the right tenant to the property, mediation and tenancy breakdown prevention and free rental insurance.

“This partnership provides an important opportunity for Crisis and the NRLA to join forces to make the private rented sector a better and fairer place for all involved.”


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Comments

Dennis Leverett

13:03 PM, 16th December 2022, About A year ago

Excellent Ben, a good move to help solve a problem with hopefully support from the PRS. Lets put Shelter to shame who are sitting on £millions and housing no-one. This needs a lot of media coverage to bring it forward into the Public and Government eyes. Have you had any offer of support from the Government or is that a daft question. There's loads the Government can do to support this without actually spending money. Offer incentives to Landlords who work with the NRLA and Crisis on this. I would work with them. Fantastic news.

C CA

17:45 PM, 16th December 2022, About A year ago

Good news in the right direction...but I have been arguing NRLA to join force with other stakeholders for legally binding obligation to participate in the improvement of the sector and the everyone stakeholders. The mortgage lenders are the primary beneficiary from the sector but they only want dictate and make money. If they are called to participate they ONLY will consider on voluntary basis and that never work. I have had 2 specific situations where mortgage lenders instead of participating favourably they object and good projects to improve the sector cannot move.. Mortgage lenders are the one which MUST be made to contribute by legal force because to date, landlord run all the risks and bank take the cream. I said, I have 2 situations where mortgage lenders instead of helping create difficulty:

1. Using the NRLA x Crisis agreement, I doubt mortgage lenders will see favourable by landlords housing homeless people, if any mortgage lenders will include further clause in the T&C to avoid such tenants acceptable or increase the interest to cover "their risk" unless they are forced by law to accept and contribute where necessary;

2. I recently have had an pathetic experience with Mortgage Works (MW) (part of nationwide building society), MW market a offering favourable terms to invest in improvement of a BTL property... but the help is voluntary... I approached MW where I have mortgage for 12 years with no even 1 day arrear... I asked for around 18% (£40)of the equity (220K plus) to improve my stock...I was offered no more than 7% (£ 15K) of the equity. I was told that they do to help me as voluntary participation....I nearly VOMIT to hear. I decide not to take MW "help"

So using the example of the Crisis agreement, trade bodies like NRLA and others MUST work harder to bring all stakeholders to contribute meaningfully by law so the sector can flourish and benefit all interested parties. In one of my argument with NRLA about this matter I was told ..hey... ..
"the banks are private business".... I answer is .. Landlords also are private business... or I am missing something here?????

Dennis Leverett

23:42 PM, 16th December 2022, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by C CA at 16/12/2022 - 17:45
I've always been a big optimist but your points are very valid.

Reluctant Landlord

22:50 PM, 17th December 2022, About A year ago

maybe I'm taking a different view on this - but why should the NRLA get 'involved' at all?
Surely the point is that there is NO need for such partnerships. It's the government that needs to sort the homeless issue out - its happened on their watch and they should be the ones to sort this out.
Crisis has had the opportunity to work for years with LL's directly, but they have never pursued this and chosen to condemn private LL's instead - why now a change of heart?
The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “This partnership recognises the importance that the private rented sector and responsible landlords play in providing safe, decent and secure accommodation, and gives practical support to both renters and landlords to sustain tenancies.
Err....that's exactly what good LL's do already but many are getting shafted by rent arrears/damage and long drawn out court cases to evict where necessary, they wont be rushing to take up this 'opportunity' very fast....
Its ok saying Crisis will try and assist in sustaining a tenancy, but the reality is that there is a risk in taking on this type of tenant, so whatever Crisis promises is an empty gesture unless there is additional financial security for the LL - such risks wont be taken and nothing will change.
LL's work on a 'risk' basis - the higher the risk then the higher the protection for the LL needs to be.
The law has defined the deposit cap etc and rules of possession, (and possible rent freeze?) so how on earth is any ' range of tailored services and advice to landlords , supporting them to take on tenancies, with confidence and security, with people who have previously been homeless.' going to be anything more substantial than a promise by Crisis?

Oh and don't forget Crisis are still campaigning for abolition of S21. So you take a tenant on and basically you are stuck with them when this 'designated point of contact throughout the tenancy' moves on.....

I smell a rat....

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