Property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant

Property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant

10:34 AM, 24th May 2022, About 2 years ago 39

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The NRLA are calling for new property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant and tenants identify decent and safe housing.

Under plans devised by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), such passports would certify that a property met all legal standards. It would list improvements made to properties and contain copies of all safety certificates. Tenants would be able to access the passport online.

Local authorities would be able to conduct spot checks to verify the passport is a true record of the state of the property. For social sector landlords, an independent organisation would have the power to check that local authorities have conducted assessments correctly.

The Government has proposed that the existing Decent Homes Standard should be extended to apply to the private rented sector, not just social housing.

The NRLA argues this should be tailored to the private rented sector and bring together the 168 pieces of legislation already affecting it rather than introducing new requirements. What is needed is a standard that simplifies the measures that already exist and can be easily understood by tenants and landlords alike.

According to official statistics, the vast majority of private landlords already provide decent housing. 88% of private rented properties in England have none of the most serious ‘Category One’ hazards whilst almost 94% have no damp problems. Most (83%) private renters are satisfied with their accommodation, a higher proportion than in the social rented sector.

The NRLA remains concerned about the minority of landlords who provide unsuitable housing who damage the reputation of responsible landlords who comply with regulations.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA said: “We want to make it easier for the vast majority of compliant landlords to prove to tenants what they already do, namely providing decent and safe housing. Those who do not would have no option other than to shape up or ship out.

“This would be based on proving compliance with existing laws, not creating new regulations. With almost 170 laws affecting the private rented sector it can hardly be dubbed the wild west. What is needed is better understanding and enforcement of this existing legislation.”


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Comments

Clint

13:15 PM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 25/05/2022 - 11:57The attraction of being a member of the NRLA for me at this stage is not to do with the advice or to do with the forms I generally get all this from the internet. I do however use the membership discount in protecting deposits.
I cannot understand how the NRLA can come up with a statement such as "Landlords are calling for new property passports to help landlords prove their homes are compliant and tenants identify decent and safe housing” without carrying out a survey to find out which landlords actually calling for this.
We definitely need an alternate force to represent us either a coalition or any other.

Chris @ Possession Friend

13:17 PM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 25/05/2022 - 13:15@Clint - a Landlord Coalition of many 100's k Landlords could negotiate a discount on Deposits and other matters.

Luke P

14:30 PM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Clint at 25/05/2022 - 13:15
Taking deposits is such a hassle. You're limited by 5 weeks maximum and have to battle to get it back (no to mention the headache for serving the incorrect papers). Homeowner guarantors are all I've taken since 2007 and, whilst I've been to Court literally 100s of times, I've never not been paid. It dispenses with the need for the NRLA.

Either way, it's clear the NRLA are baiting members for weight being their lobbying.

You can't even run a competition on a product like that...think of the whole 'no purchase necessary' phrasing plastered over such things.

Luke P

14:41 PM, 25th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 25/05/2022 - 14:30
*behind their lobbying

Rennie

21:13 PM, 27th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 24/05/2022 - 20:12
Yes indeedee!

Rennie

21:19 PM, 27th May 2022, About 2 years ago

NRLA have obviously been infiltrated. My suggestion is start your own association, get the deposit thing going for the members but gradually phase that out and do like Luke, take a homeowner guarantor.

Sounds to me like it is part of the new world order whereby they know where every piece of meat and every vegetable and every living man/woman has come from. You know, that social credit system and tracking you 24/7 business. They just want total control so anything you can do to break this passport rubbish will be well worth the effort

john thompson

11:08 AM, 28th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Since most problems are actually caused by BAD TENANTS, not bad landlords, how about a tenant passport?
Seems the government, councils, shelter, all landlord bashing outlets, or even the NRLA bother addressing this issue much at all.
It could prove you pay rent on time, have no outstanding rent due from other landlords, you have not vandalized or completely trashed properties, you have not..,grown, made, or sold drugs of any kind on any property.
You have not caused damp issues or any antisocial behavior problems.
You have not sneaked pets in when agreed not to, that have then wrecked any property, I could go on, and on, but suffice to say it would have to be a big list and a big passport!
By the way what the hell is the point of the NRLA, who actually funds these useless, lame idiots anymore?

Clint

12:16 PM, 28th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by john thompson at 28/05/2022 - 11:08
It would be good if PP118 could draw Ben Beadles attention to these posts.

It appears that not a single landlord has posted support for the property passports

Luke P

12:19 PM, 28th May 2022, About 2 years ago

I’m not a fan of the ‘other’ property forum, but they’re normally very sympathetic toward the NRLA and it’s interesting to see very similar comments over there too…

https://www.propertytribes.com/nrla-calling-for-property-passports-t-127656337.html

Whiteskifreak Surrey

16:55 PM, 28th May 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 24/05/2022 - 11:17
We would have to stop paying fees and be their members.
I do not think I will renew my membership.

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