Salford council launch social letting agency

Salford council launch social letting agency

11:20 AM, 28th August 2019, About 5 years ago 16

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Salford City Council has launched its own letting agency, Salford Property Link, in an effort to encourage private landlords to help reduce the massive social housing waiting list.

The new agency offers landlords different levels of service from advertising and tenant matching right through to full property management, guaranteed rent and a property repairs service.

Many of those seeking new homes are employed. but housing officers will work with any who are on benefits to make sure they are claiming their full entitlement and can meet their rent obligations.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “There are huge waiting lists for social housing and not enough to meet demand. There is great potential for landlords to work with us and get tenants into the right property.”

The agency is part of a package of measures Salford City Council is undertaking to address the national housing crisis. It has launched Dérive, a wholly owned company, to provide more social housing, initially through buying off plan, but ultimately to build affordable housing through the development and sale of other homes at market value.

It is also offering extra housing support to armed forces veterans and their families who may have difficulties with setting up new homes or are struggling with their current tenancy.


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Comments

Mick Roberts

14:01 PM, 29th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 29/08/2019 - 09:42Ha ha Brilliant answer.
Nottingham tried something similar, but I think they've gave up now, as no Landlord trusted them after they've asked us to take their tenants for years, then shafted us with Selective Licensing which forced conditions on these tenants that they already gave us, that we wun't have took, had these Selective Licensing conditions been in at the time.
And yes, running Letting Agency require some'at about u, which often newly bought in Council workers don't have the experience or caring attitude about them.

Dino

16:52 PM, 29th August 2019, About 5 years ago

We have some properties in Salford, so thought I'd ask the council about this non-profit service they're offering. Bog standard management is 10%+VAT. If you want the rent guarantee (which I suspect is just the usual rent guarantee insurance, but for tenants who wouldn't pass the tests) it's 15+VAT. They do include a repairs service, but it sounds more like finding a tradesman rather than them paying the costs.
I must remember to ask my letting agents how they manage to charge the same or less AND make a profit!

Paul Shears

1:59 AM, 30th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Gunga Din at 29/08/2019 - 09:43
I have a friend who does this on a flat he owns and rents out via a council who "run everything".
His motivation was to have no involvement and accept a reduced profit.
Well you really cannot expect this with any agency let alone a council.
It all runs OK until some form of judgement is required. Then he has to get involved and manage the thing himself as the council are incapable of upholding their end of the deal.
This is pretty much what I would expect.
No benefits tenants so far but their is nothing to stop them going in now that the council "manage" the flat.

Rennie

9:33 AM, 30th August 2019, About 5 years ago

Has anyone sent these comments to Salford Council so they can benefit from our "joint" wisdom?

Annie Landlord

11:07 AM, 30th August 2019, About 5 years ago

I thought this was going to be similar to the individual contracts some local authorities have offered for years to private landlords, where the LA takes over the running of the property, places the tenant, guarantees the rent and promises to return the property after a certain number of years in good condition with all repairs completed. It isn't! They are just offering a charged-for agency service, still leaving the landlord with all the risk. I can't imagine why they think this will help to reduce the social housing waiting list

Michael Barnes

1:52 AM, 31st August 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by JJ at 29/08/2019 - 10:35
Just at the moment I can't charge my tenants for things that tenants do to my property that they should not do because the law does not allow it

What are those things?

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