Landlord Accreditation Wales Winter 2013 by Anne Rowland

Issue 13

www.welshlandlords.org.uk

Welcome to the Autumn Edition of the Newsletter Landlord Accreditation Wales is a voluntary training and information scheme run from Cardiff Council on behalf of all 22 Councils in Wales. It is in place to compliment Council enforcement and regulatory powers controlling the private rented sector. The scheme now has nearly 3000 members. If you are already accredited, encourage fellow landlords and agents to join. And if you are reading this and not accredited – why not? All accreditation courses are detailed on our website www.welshlandlords.org.uk/courses and we have them in

Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Conwy, Barry, Bangor, Denbigh and Merthyr in the coming months.

Need to advertise a property?

Want to provide a home to a tenant in housing need?

Contact LA Housing Options Section

In this Issue: New Housing Bill in Wales Info Universal Credit Update How to Provide a Warm Home Neath Port Talbot Landlord Survey – have your say Empty Property Investments

Councils want to engage with Landlords

Or advertise through sites found at: https://www.welshlandlords.org.uk/find-accredited-landlord/#accommodation

Prosecuted: Topaz Property Company Ltd in Cardiff. Total fine of £15,000 plus costs for HMO Management failures. The same company was also fined for similar issues in Newport (offences for managing two HMOs when not licensed and 10 offences under the HMO management regulations.) In that case the company was fined £11,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,000. Mr Christopher James Prosser of Talbot Road in Wrexham. Fines and costs totalling £2,020 for notlicensing a HMO.

Cardiff Landlord Forum AGM – choose the new chair. Wednesday November 27th www.welshlandlords.org.uk/events

If you want to know more about Landlord Accreditation Wales and what being an accredited landlord means, visit the website www.welshlandlords.org.uk, or contact our friendly team on 029 2087 1815, or by e-mail info@welshlandlords.org.uk

Empty Homes an ‘Investment Opportunity’ An often over looked investment opportunity is the long term empty property, but now could be a good time to invest in such projects with the Welsh Government having made £20 million available through the Houses into Homes Loan Scheme.

Individuals, charities and companies can apply for up to £25,000 per unit up to a maximum of £150,000 per applicant. The short term loans are interest free and the money is available up front before work starts to help meet the cost of renovating properties or converting commercial buildings into multiple residential units. The loan has to be paid back within two or three years depending on whether the property is sold or let. The loan is secured as a charge against a property up to a maximum 80% Loan to Value, including any existing mortgage. There is an application fee and any application will need to be supported with a RICS valuation of the property offered as security.

Andrew Lavender - Project Consultant to Welsh Government reports:

Bringing empty properties back into use – now less taxing! Bringing empty properties back into use can be costly particularly when extensive renovations are required. Domestic building work, including

MAKE THIS

repair, maintenance and improvement is usually charged at the standard rate of 20% VAT. However, there are a variety of VAT concessions available to renovators, self-builders and converters that can substantially reduce the cost of any project.

INTO THIS

VAT – residential properties empty for at least two years. The renovation of residential properties that have been empty for at least 2 years will be eligible for a reduced rate of VAT 5%. This applies to labour and materials associated with repairs, alterations, construction of associated garages and hard landscaping.

VAT – residential properties empty longer than ten years The renovation of a dwelling that has been empty for ten years or more is treated as a new dwelling created by conversion and assuming the property is to be sold, a VAT-registered builder must charge a zero rate of VAT on all eligible work. If the property is to be used for residential purposes by you or your family after the works are completed, you may be eligible to a zero rate of VAT.

WITH AN AN INTEREST FREE ‘HOUSES INTO HOMES’ LOAN LOAN

Further guidance and advice: Further guidance on VAT and Tax Incentives, an overview of the ‘Houses into Homes’ loans scheme and details for Local Authority contacts who can provide you with free impartial advice can be found on the downloads page of the scheme website:

https://www.welshlandlords.org.uk/landlord-guidance/downloads.aspx#Empty-PropertiesHouses-into-Homes-

Universal Credit is a new single payment for people who are looking for work or on a low income. The British Government believes Universal Credit will help claimants and their families to become more independent and will simplify the benefits system by bringing together a range of working-age benefits into a single payment. Some of the main differences of interest to landlords between Universal Credit and the current welfare system are: • most people will apply online and manage their claim through an online account • claimants will receive just 1 monthly payment, paid into a bank account (or similar) in the same way as a monthly salary • support with housing costs will go direct to the claimant as part of their monthly payment

How is Universal Credit progressing?

Universal Credit will replace Housing Benefit as well as a number of other allowances and tax credits. The transition from the current system to Universal Credit is still expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

April 2013 – start of Universal Credit pathfinder Starting in April 2013, DWP, with their delivery partners in HMRC and local authorities, introduced Universal Credit for claimants within certain areas of the north-west of England. October 2013 – introduction of Universal Credit Starting from October 2013, the national roll-out of Universal Credit comprised of three strands; National roll out of the ‘Claimant Commitment’ National roll out of improved digital services across Jobcentre Plus Progressive national roll out of Universal Credit to a further 6 Jobcentres, with offices taking new claims for Universal Credit in Hammersmith, Rugby, Inverness, Bath, Harrogate and Shotton. Lord Freud (Minister for Welfare Reform) has stated that the key to making direct payments work is through collaboration with landlords. Speaking at the Chartered Institute for Housing Conference on the 27th June 2013 he stated that “If we collectively determine that someone will not be able to manage with direct payments – for instance, because of alcohol or drug dependency or learning difficulties then we will keep them on managed payments direct to the landlord.” He also gave a guarantee “that if you inform us that two months of arrears have built up, we will move the claimant to managed payments.” No guidance has yet been published about how this will operate in principle.

Additional support for Universal Credit claimants is being offered by the Government and all the up to date information on Universal Credit and its implementation can be found on the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) website www.gov.uk/dwp and on the Money Advice Service website: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Welsh Government’s First Housing Bill to improve lives and communities in Wales. The Welsh Government understands that every part of life (health, well-being, education, jobs and local communities) is affected by the homes people live in. That’s why they are drafting a new Housing Bill for Wales setting out an ambitious programme of action to ensure all people in Wales have a decent place to live. The Housing Bill should be introduced into the National Assembly for Wales before the end of 2013.

The Housing Bill is expected to cover: tackling homelessness and empty homes; improving standards in the private rented sector; increasing the supply of housing; and improving its quality.

This will be done by: Compulsory register and licensing scheme for agents and landlords

Allowing LAs to discharge homeless people into the PRS

LA duty to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites where needed

LA powers to charge more Council Tax on long term empty properties More use of Community Land Trusts & Co-operative Housing

Renting Homes White Paper – Another Future Bill for Wales The Renting Homes consultation closed as planned on 16 August 2013, with some 170 responses being received. More than 1,000 people participated in consultation events and meetings to hear about and discuss the proposals. Many thanks to all who responded and who helped in publicising the consultation. As indicated in the White Paper, a summary of the responses will be published later this year. Engagement remains a key priority and the Welsh Government look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders.

To keep up to date with the progress of Housing Related News from the Welsh Government you can subscribe for free to the 'Homes for Wales bulletin’ at: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/homes-forwales-bulletin/?lang=en

National Assembly encouraging more people to help shape new laws The National Assembly for Wales is working to increase the number of new people contributing to the creation of new laws for Wales. The First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones AM, has announced that during November the Welsh Government will introduce the Housing (Wales) Bill. The Assembly’s Outreach Team have already organised workshops and targeted individuals and organisations within the housing sector who have an interest in having their say on this Bill. The aim is to provide stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to have their say on what they think should happen when it is introduced to the National Assembly for Wales.

If you would like further information, or be included on the mailing list for the consultation then you can contact the Outreach Team by email outreachteam@wales.gov.uk

The four-stage process for the consideration of a Bill once it has been formally ‘introduced’ to the Assembly

Topics already covered during workshops session include: •

How laws are made in Wales

•

How the Assembly scrutinises laws proposed by the Welsh Government

•

How you can engage in the process

•

How to share your views on this proposed Housing (Wales) Bill

•

How to keep in touch and get the latest information about the proposed Housing (Wales) Bill

Stage 1 Consideration of the general principles of the Bill by a committee, and the agreement of those general principles by the Assembly

Stage 2 Detailed consideration by a committee of the Bill and any amendments tabled to that Bill

Stage 3 Detailed consideration by the Assembly of the Bill and any amendments tabled to that bill

Stage 4 A vote by the Assembly to pass the final text of the Bill

Landlord Continued Professional Development (CPD) Events

March 2013 was appointed Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Rhondda Cynon Taff Landlord Forum

Gartholwg Lifelong Learning Centre, Church Village, Pontypridd, CF38 1RQ

Wednesday 20/11/2013 at 18:00

National Conference

Marriot Hotel, Swansea

Wednesday 20/11/2013 at 10-16:30

Cardiff Landlord Forum

Cardiff Council County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4UW Committee Room 1

Wednesday 27/11/2013 at 18:00

Denbighshire Rhyl Community Fire Landlord Station, Coast Road, Forum Rhyl

Thursday 28/11/2013 at 17:30

Welsh Tenant Conference - Sharing the views of tenants

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welsh Tenant/Tenantiaid Cymruâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Conference entitled A Vision For Your Future, also celebrated 25 years of the organisation. The Conference took place over 2 days, 19th and 20th of September at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod and was attended by almost 200 tenant delegates. Main speakers, plenary panellists, workshop leaders and exhibitors included Owen Smith MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Wales), Jocelyn Davies AM for Plaid Cymru, Kirsty Williams AM for Liberal Democrats, TPAS Cymru, Welsh Government, StepChange, Altair Ltd, Housemark, Tai Pawb, CIH, CHC Cymru, APA Consultants, TAP, Shelter Cymru, RBW, Co-operative Housing, Family Fund Trust, Joe Halewood Consultant and Anne Rowland from Landlord Accreditation Wales who ran a workshop. Main topics for discussion included welfare reforms, housing supply, drugs and crime and much advice and support was offered to delegates. A full Conference report has been written and is available on the Welsh Tenants website www.welshtenants.org.uk and further information and photographs of the event through their Facebook page www.facebook.com/TenantiaidCymru

If you have tenants who you think would like to help inform Welsh Tenants then please ask them to get in touch with the organisation.

Cardiff Council re-launches their website for students – www.cardiffdigs.co.uk

Houses into Homes

The website provides information on a range of services from advice on accommodation, responsibilities about waste and recycling, how to be a good neighbour, how you register with a doctor, information on physical/mental and sexual health, drinking advice, safety in the home as well as sustainability issues such as encouraging students not to bring their car to university and much more. Students play a vital role in Cardiff’s economy with 36,000 students living in Cardiff, making up 10.4 % of the population. Many live in private rented accommodation for short periods of time, moving regularly between wards in the city and aren’t aware of council services available.

Emma Robson, Student Liaison Officer for Cardiff Council: “My role is to liaise with the three universities and other external organisations to ensure that students are aware of their responsibilities and the council services available, while staying safe and having an enjoyable time at University.”

Neath Port Talbot Council open landlord’s survey and offers chance to win tickets to the Princess Royal Theatre If you’re a Landlord who owns property in the Neath Port Talbot area, the Council needs your help to better understand the Private Rented Sector. And to make it worth your while participating they are offering you the chance to win tickets for up and coming events held at the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot! The Private Rented Sector across Wales has almost doubled to match the size of the Social Housing Sector and it is anticipated that within the next year, 1 in 5 households in Wales will be renting from a Private Landlord. In Neath Port Talbot the Private Rented Sector has grown from accommodating 5.9% of households in 2001 to providing a home for 10.2% of households in the County Borough by 2011. As a Council they want to work more closely with YOU as a Private Rented Sector Landlord, to provide good quality homes for people in housing need. To complete the survey please follow the link: www.npt.gov.uk/PLRSurvey To be included in the free prize draw, please ensure you complete the questionnaire by Friday 29th November 2013.

Improving Houses to Keep Tenants Warm The Energy Saving Trust is a non profit, impartial organisation specialising in helping customers improve the energy efficiency of their homes and rented properties.

They are currently offering free external solid wall insulation, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation for all electric or coal heated properties in Wales*. Additionally many customers can also benefit from free cavity wall, loft insulation and boiler replacements (subject to Green Deal assessment) under ECO, for homeowners or anyone renting privately in Wales. For further information on the offer or to apply for a survey please contact Oceanne Esparcieux on 02920 475979 who will guide you through the online energy efficiency survey and help determine whether or not you or your tenants are suitable to be referred for ECO (Energy Company Obligation). (For organisation or large portfolio landlords email James Lilly at james.lilly@est.org.uk) *All offers are subject to survey.

The Energy Saving Trust also administers the Welsh Government’s NEST scheme What FREE help may be available to tenants? • Wall and loft insulation • Energy saving tips and advice • Replacement central heating boiler • Benefit entitlement checks • Renewable energy technologies Call now! Get your eligible tenants to call the friendly Nest team on Freephone 0808 808 2244 for Nest home improvements at no cost to you. Tenants who receive a means tested benefit may qualify for support if they live in a home that’s hard to heat.

Don’t forget about the scheme’s Damp and Mould Posters to put up in your Rental Properties and also our Damp and Mould Leaflet for your tenants. Both available on the downloads page of the website https://www.welshlandlords.org.uk/landlord-guidance/downloads.aspx#Advice-Sheets-for-Landlords-and-Tenants

So you’ve just put your property on the market, but when will people be enquiring and asking to come for viewings? Revealed: when tenants search for a home

Research published recently by Upad reveal that Saturday is the most popular day for viewings.

Research published recently by Upad reveal that Saturday is the most popular day for viewings, some 82% of those who took part said, followed by Sundays (72%) and weekday evenings (50%). Times when viewings are least popular include weekday morning and afternoons which only 20% said would be an ideal viewing time. But the survey also reveals when tenants are most likely to send an email or make a phone call about a property.

A third of enquiries are made outside of office hours fairly constantly between 8am and midnight, Upad has found, presumably as tenants finish dinner and then settle down to a night of home hunting. But Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes are the daytime ‘spikes’ for enquiries to landlords as, during their mid-day break, tenants set up viewings for that week.

James Davis, CEO and Founder of Upad, says it is crucial that landlords reply quickly to enquiries and that “as these results show, with people’s lives busier than ever, landlords need to be flexible about showing their properties to suit the tenant,” he says. “Even though there are few things more important than finding somewhere to live, this has to fit in with other commitments and engagements, not the other way around. The popularity of Saturdays and Sundays shows the continuing benefit of taking an ‘open house’ approach. We often recommend this as a prospective tenant is also likely to have a little more time at the weekend and most properties look better in the daylight. If you like the sound of a tenant, let them lead you as much as possible; remember they’re your customer at the end of the day.” *Upad received 278 responses to their survey, which took place in July 2013.

Spring 2013