How to Improve the Management of Your Rented Property

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1 Huntingdonshire Landlords Forum Newsletter In this issue Summary of landlords Forum 11/09/13 News from Housing Benefits Advertising private rented properties Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms Green Deal - Action on Energy Condensation Landlords Insurance Withholding rent as punishment for taking too long to make urgent repairs Illegal eviction Credit unions Useful contact numbers December Issue No 12 Welcome to this latest edition of our Landlords Forum Newsletter Wishing you a very happy ~ 2014 ~ You have received a copy of this edition of the Huntingdonshire Landlords Forum newsletter because you have elected to join the Landlords Forum and I would encourage you to make use of the services by attending meetings, advertising properties on our web pages and communicating with us regarding issues you would like to be discussed. There is no charge for these services all we ask is that you work with us to improve the quality and management of private rented accommodation in the district. Please note however, we cannot take on the management of your property but what we can do is give you accurate and timely information and offer advice to prevent problems arising or on the best ways to deal with any problems or situations as they occur in connection to your rented property. We may not have all the answers but we do have access to lots of information and as a forum we can draw upon a wealth of experience so can share the knowledge of others. Sometimes, we are able to simply pass on information to landlords but occasionally we uncover new issues which when explored can add to the Forum s collective knowledge. One of the key aims for this Council is trying to solve peoples housing problems and we can do this by encouraging landlords to offer properties to people on the Housing Register and reduce the waiting periods this may also prevent homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation. I hope you can see that there are benefits in joining the forum for you the landlord as well as for the Council and tenants looking for accommodation.

2 Summary of the Landlords Forum held 11th September 2013 Renting to prospective tenants on low incomes Advertising properties available for rent on HDC website There was a question and answer session on various current issues. Subjects included: Housing Benefit (direct payments to landlords) Local Housing Allowance Rates Minimising void periods Support to Landlords with tenant problems Notice and possession Landlords insurance services Tenant referencing and credit rating Incentives for landlords to work with HDC

3 News from Housing Benefits We have developed a page for landlords on our website. In order to view this page please go to: then click Benefits, Council Tax & Money/Benefits/Information for landlords On these pages you will find lots of information for Landlords including: What is Housing Benefit? Landlords and Information Paying Housing Benefit to Landlords Telling us of changes Overpaid Housing Benefit How will I know there has been an overpayment? How is an overpayment paid back? What if you don't agree with the decision to recover from a Landlord? You can also find out about the local Housing Allowance by going to: then click Benefits, Council Tax & Money/Benefits/Local Housing Allowance

4 Advertising properties for rent on the HDC Website Over the last year we have listed 40 properties to rent on our website. 33 have been let, 8 directly via HDC and Housing Needs. This represents almost 25% of the total let in this period. In addition, many of the landlords who did not find their tenant via the website reported that the advert generated a lot of interest and they would definitely use the service again. These landlords tended to also have their property listed with a lettings agent as well as using other advertising methods such as local newspapers and shop window cards. There is a constant demand for private rented properties and by using this service your property details are seen by many prospective tenants in the district. HDC can assist some tenants with the deposit and first month s rent, under our Rental Deposit Scheme. To use this service please go to: then click Housing/Advertising your property for rent You will need to complete the short form. On receipt of the information your property will be listed on the website under private property to rent. An confirming your property has been listed and the reference number allocated to it will be sent to you from the Private Sector Team. It is helpful to us if when the property is let you contact us to remove the advert and provide some basic feedback. Green Deal Action on Energy Fuel bills have recently reached an all time high, which impacts on all residents in Huntingdonshire. To assist our residents, Huntingdonshire District Council, along with other Cambridgeshire councils, has launched a new scheme called Action on Energy. The new Council led scheme helps you save money on your energy bills through energy efficiency improvements. Action on Energy aims to provide residents with an energy plan for their homes. The plan will show your property s current energy performance, identify potential improvements, and provide options and advice on funding. Grants are available for insulation and heating improvements for householders on low incomes or those in hard to treat homes, such as properties with solid walls. If you need funding to carry out work you can also consider a number of loan options including the Green Deal Finance option which helps you to meet the upfront cost of improvements and is a pay as you save option, meaning the money you save on your energy bill from having the improvements installed is then used to pay off the loan. Action on Energy is a partnership with Climate Energy and supports the government s Green Deal scheme. Climate Energy is a completely independent energy efficiency Company, therefore their energy experts have access to all the many options available. To find how more about how you can enjoy a warmer home and lower you bills visit or call quoting AOEHunts002

5 Tenancy Deposit Schemes - Recent Court case Superstrike Ltd v Marino Rodrigues [2013] Superstrike Limited v Rodrigues [2013] EWCA Civ 669 This recent Court of Appeal decision relates to an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) created in early 2007 before the introduction of the mandatory tenancy deposit protection rules. When the tenancy expired in 2008, a statutory periodic tenancy then arose under section 5 of the Housing Act 1988; the deposit remained unprotected. A notice under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 was served to end the tenancy in The Court of Appeal has ruled that when the new statutory periodic tenancy arose in 2008, a new deposit was deemed to have been received. This was subject to the requirements of the tenancy deposit protection legislation. As the landlord had not met the requirements to protect the deposit and serve the prescribed information, it was unable to serve a section 21 notice to terminate the tenancy, and the purported notice served in 2011 was invalid. The Deposit Protection Service has provided guidance as to the implications of this ruling until further cases are decided. The recommended approach is that in order to ensure full compliance landlords should serve prescribed information within 30 days of each renewal or the creation of a statutory periodic tenancy. It is worth remembering that tenants could claim the statutory penalty for non-service of the prescribed information, or for late service where applicable; potentially a payment by the landlord of three times the amount of the deposit. Evershields 1 Wood Street, London EC2V 7WS United Kingdom, Real estate dispute resolution, Real estate litigation The Government awarded contracts to three companies to run its tenancy deposit schemes on 22 November The three schemes are: The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) - the only custodial deposit protection scheme - is free to use and open to all Landlords and Letting Agents. The service is funded entirely from the interest earned from deposits held. Landlords and Letting Agents will be able to register and make transactions online. Paper forms will also be available should internet access be an issue. The scheme will be supported by a dedicated call centre and an independent dispute resolution service. For more information, visit or call Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd (TDSL) is a partnership between the National Landlords Association and Hamilton Fraser Insurance. This insurance-based tenancy deposit protection scheme enables landlords, either directly or through agents, to hold deposits. Letting agents can also join the scheme. For more information, visit The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) is an insurancebacked deposit protection and dispute resolution scheme run by The Dispute Service that builds on a scheme established in 2003 to provide dispute resolution and complaints handling for the lettings industry. The new scheme enables letting agents and landlords to hold deposits. For more information, visit or call Information drawn from:

6 Controlling Damp and Condensation in your home Types of damp Damp is one of the most frequently encountered problems in a home. There are three main causes of damp and it is important to know the differences between them so the correct remedy can be applied. A damp problem can affect your health and damage your home. Rising Damp The most obvious signs of rising damp are a brown tide-mark stain on the wall and the plaster below feels cold or damp to the touch. It usually occurs when a property has either not been built with a damp proof course (DPC) or the existing DPC has been damaged or has failed. Rising damp affects walls that are in contact with the ground and can affect internal and external walls. The water does not normally rise above a meter in height up a wall. If you suspect you have rising damp, you should have the property surveyed. Contractors who are members of the Trust Mark scheme or the British Timber Treatment and Damp Proofing Association can be found in Yellow Pages and at org.uk. Always check the Trust Mark website for an up to date list of legitimately registered companies. Plumbing problems Problems can occur due to a small leakage over a long period or as a result of a sudden rush of water such as a burst pipe. This is usually seen as a well defined patch of damp on walls or ceilings. Penetrating Damp Penetrating damp happens when there is a defect in the outside skin of a wall or plumbing fault allowing water to enter the building, for example cracked rendering or faulty rainwater disposal. The resulting damp patch may be some distance from the original source of the problem and the problem tends to get worse in wet weather and may disappear after a long period of dry weather. Condensation Condensation occurs in cold weather, or on cold, hard surfaces such as bathroom tiles and windows. The moisture in the air also condenses on cold walls, particularly in the corner of two external walls in unheated rooms, behind furniture, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards and places where there is little air movement or poor ventilation. If left untreated the dampness caused by excessive condensation can lead to mould growth on walls and furniture, mildew on clothes, curtains and soft furnishings and wooden window frames can rot. First steps against condensation You will need to take further steps to reduce the problem of condensation in your home, but these are the basic things to do straight away. Dry your windows and windowsills every morning as well as any surfaces in your kitchen or bathroom which have become wet. Wring out the cloth rather than drying it on a radiator. To kill and remove any mould that has started grow, wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approval number. These washes are often available from supermarkets. Always follow the manufacturer s instruction. Don t try to remove the mould by using a brush or vacuum cleaner as you may breathe in the spores or spread them around more. Dry clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets. After treatment, redecorate using a fungal resistant wall paper paste and a fungicidal paint. To really tackle mould and condensation you must get rid of the excess moisture in the air. What causes condensation? Too much moisture being produced in your home. Not enough ventilation. Cold surfaces. The temperature of your home. Everyday activities can add a lot of moisture into the air in your home; A bath or shower adds 2 pints of water. Drying clothes indoors adds 9 pints of water. Cooking and using a kettle adds 6 pints. Washing dishes adds 2 pints; and Using a bottled gas heater adds 4 pints of water (for 8 hours of use).

7 What can you do? Reduce the amount of moisture produced: When possible dry your clothes outside or hang them in the bathroom with the door closed and the window slightly open. Avoid putting clothes on the radiator as all the moisture they contain will go into the room. Avoid using bottle gas heaters as they produce a litre of water for every litre of gas burnt. Cover saucepans when cooking. This also saves energy as food cooks quicker. Wipe visible condensation off surfaces such as windows and tiles with a dry cloth Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed to prevent moisture escaping to the rest of the house. Use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens - they are not expensive to use. If you don t have extractor fans, open the window slightly and keep the door to the rest of the house closed, 20 minutes should be sufficient time for the moist air to escape, but remember to close them to keep your home secure. If you use a tumble dryer, make sure it is vented to the outside remember to keep your home secure. Don t use your gas cooker to heat your kitchen as it produces a lot of moisture when burning the gas. Appropriate ventilation If your windows have trickle vents use them to help ventilate your bedroom. Poor air circulation around clothes, stored items and furniture can lead to damp and mildew developing. Keep a small gap between large pieces of furniture and the walls and where possible place wardrobes against internal walls. Don t overfill wardrobes and cupboards as it restricts air circulation and this can increase the risk of damp and mildew. Use the extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Bathroom extractor fans cost less than 1 pence per day to use, kitchen cooker hoods with an extractor and two lights will usually cost 3-4 pence an hour to use. When you do open windows to add ventilation, make sure that accessible windows will not cause a security problem and remember to close windows when you go out. Don t over ventilate your home, especially in the room already suffering from damp and mould, the cold could make the problem worse and increase fuel bills. Insulation and draught proofing Loft and cavity wall insulation are the most effective forms of insulation. The insulation will help to keep the surface temperature of the walls and ceilings warmer, reducing the opportunity for condensation to form. Insulation will also help keep the heat within the home, helping to reduce heating costs. Draught proofing can also help reduce heat loss but it is important not to draught proof rooms where there is a heater or cooker that burns gas or solid fuel. Don t block up permanent ventilators or airbricks installed for heating. Don t draught proof bathroom or kitchen windows. The temperature in your home When heating your home, try not to have one room at a high temperature and leave the rest of the property cold. The warm air in the heated room will always try to move to the cooler rooms and this will create condensation. Keep the doors of unheated rooms open to allow some heat into them. Don t use portable bottle gas heaters in your home, especially if you are already suffering from condensation problems. Litre for litre, bottled gas produces the same volume of water as the gas that is burnt. Ideally your home should be heated between 18 C to 21 C, but older people, babies and people who are less mobile may feel the need to keep their homes warmer. Key points to remember Use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisturefilled air quickly, if fans are not fitted, remember to ventilate sufficiently and always keep doors closed to stop moisture from spreading to the rest of the home. Insulate your home to keep warm and cut the cost of heating Don t block ventilation needed for gas appliances to work safely Try to reduce the amount of moisture produced in the home e.g. covering pans when cooking Ideally keep your home heated between 18 C to 21 C Landlords and tenants It is important that the tenant helps to reduce the condensation problems by taking steps to limit the amount of moisture produced in the property. Many of the measures needed to tackle condensation will also require the landlord to take action, such as improving the insulation of the property or installing ventilation and adequate heating. If you have rising damp or penetrating damp, contact your landlord and ask them to carry out remedial work. If you do not get a satisfactory response from your landlord you should contact your local Environmental Health Department for advice. Promoting Warmer Homes, Healthy People - Controlling Damp and Condensation in your home For more information, call the Environment Team at Huntingdonshire District Council Tel: HEET@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

8 Landlords Insurance If you are a landlord with a home to let, it is important to take out appropriate insurance. Property is a valuable asset and the right landlord insurance policy can help to protect your investment. It can also offer a financial lifeline if something goes wrong. And things can go wrong. What if a tenant spills red wine on the carpet, or floods the bathroom? Or what if your tenant fails to pay the rent and you end up in a costly legal dispute? Or maybe you need to undertake costly repairs following a fire. A number of insurers offer specialist landlord insurance - and it's important to be up front about any properties you let (rather than rely on standard insurance). If you don't inform the insurer that you are actually letting out a property, the policy could be rendered invalid and would not therefore pay any claim. Buildings Insurance for Landlords Landlord insurance falls into two broad categories, just like standard home insurance. The buildings insurance policy covers the bricks and mortar of your property against a range of risks including fire, flood and storm. If you have a mortgage on your buyto-let property, the bank or building society will probably insist that appropriate buildings insurance is in place. That said, landlords without mortgages would still be wise to take out buildings insurance in case the worst should happen. After all, could you afford to replace your property if it burnt to the ground? You should take out enough buildings insurance to cover the rebuild cost of the property. The rebuild cost is not the same as the purchase price and is usually lower. You can find out more information on the website of the Association of British Insurers ( That said, most landlord insurance policies offer unlimited buildings cover so you shouldn't have to worry too much about calculating the rebuild cost of your buy-to-let property. Many landlord insurance policies will pay for alternative accommodation for your tenants if they have to move out of the property after a fire, flood or other insured event. In this type of circumstance, there is usually a maximum payout of about 20% of the buildings sum insured over two years. Contents Insurance for Landlords Contents insurance is a must-have for landlords, particularly if the property is furnished. A typical contents policy will cover the sofas, tables, chairs, beds, televisions and any carpets and curtains if they are damaged or stolen. The landlord is not obliged to insure the tenant's contents, so any personal belongings are their own responsibility. Most experts recommend that contents insurance is written on a new-for-old basis, so that you can replace any items without dipping into your own pocket. Accidents and Emergencies Accidental damage to contents is not usually included as standard but it is worth considering as an optional extra. Home emergency cover is another add-on that can prove useful. If, for example, there is a burst pipe at the property, the cover will pay for any emergency repairs to be carried out by a qualified tradesman. Landlord's Liability When you have buildings and contents cover in place, you can usually tailor a landlord insurance policy to suit your particular needs. It is a good idea to consider public or landlord liability insurance in case your property injures another person or damages their belongings. A range of other types of cover could also come in useful. Rent Arrears A landlord can end up with a dodgy tenant even with the most rigorous vetting procedures in place - and that's why many landlords choose rent guarantee insurance. About a third of landlords experience difficulties with rent collection and the right cover can prove invaluable. Rent guarantee insurance typically kicks in if your tenants fail to pay their agreed rent. It also normally includes legal expenses insurance, which will cover any legal costs

9 involved in a dispute with your tenant. Limits usually apply to both rent guarantee and legal expenses insurance so you should make sure you read the small print. Policies will require that you have run full creditchecks on your tenants prior to their taking up occupancy. Empty Properties Standard insurance does not usually cover a property if it is empty, but many landlords experience void periods when they cannot find a suitable tenant or need to carry out maintenance work. You can buy insurance to cover such times so that your property and its contents are protected. Common Exclusions Landlord insurance policies usually cover most types of tenant, though some exclude asylum seekers and students. You will normally find that any malicious damage to the property or its contents is also excluded. Just remember that the cheapest policy is not necessarily the best and that it might be worth paying more to get the level of cover you really need. Try entering landlords insurance into a search engine to find the best landlord insurance policy for you from a panel of insurers. Source: Money Supermarket - Landlord Insurance Guide. Credit Union Information Tenants can ask a credit union to process their Local Housing Allowance (Housing Benefit). This special service helps tenants keep their rent payments safe for their landlord, tenants won t be tempted to spend it or use it to pay off an overdraft, and it won t get muddled up with other finances. To have housing benefits processed direct to a landlord, tenants can give our bank details to your benefits processing officer. Rainbow Saver makes a small charge to the landlord for this service, so we need to contact the landlord when we receive your form. You need to give us information about your landlord so that your rent can be passed regularly to the landlord without any delays. To qualify you must live or work or volunteer or study in Suffolk, Cambs, South Norfolk and Great Yarmouth Borough Council areas or works for a partner organisation, or is a tenant of a partner organisation Local Credit Union: Rainbow Saver Anglia Credit Union Limited Address: 229 London Road South, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0DS Telephone No: patsy@rainbowsaver.org.uk Web: Other information: FRN Number: Reg Number: 583C Common Bond: People who live or work in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Great Yarmouth Borough Council area, South Norfolk or Peterborough Employers, Organisations, Associations: Axiom Housing, British Racing School, Broadland Housing Association, Crosskeys Homes, Cambridge Housing Society, Daisy Lettings Limited, East of England Co-operative Society Ltd, Luminus Group, Hundred Housing Society, Havebury Housing Partnership, Northern Racing College, Orbit Housing Group, Orwell Housing Association Ltd, Racing Welfare, Renaissance Property Management Limited, Roddons Housing Association, Suffolk Housing Society, The National Stud Products: ABCUL Member Loans Savings accounts Junior savers Prepaid card Paypoint Payroll deductions Christmas savings Current Members: 3500 Source: Rainbow Saver Anglia Credit Union Limited

10 Withholding rent as punishment for taking too long to make urgent repairs Quarter of a million tenants withhold rent as punishment for taking too long to make urgent repairs - but are they breaking the law? Tenants receive differing service depending on how property is managed Renters have to wait until working hours to report broken heating A quarter of a million private tenants a year are withholding rent money from their landlords because of delays resolving emergencies such as boiler faults and heating problems, research has found. One in three tenants have faced a home emergency in the last 12 months with the most common problems being central heating faults, boiler problems and blocked sinks/drains, according to emergency call-out firm Homeserve. Of this number, 11 per cent took the extreme step of refusing to pay rent because their landlord had taken an unacceptable time to deal with repairs while nearly half said they would be willing to take this measure in the future if it happened to them. According to data, 250k tenants have refused to pay rent because of slow emergency repairs, only one in three tenants said urgent problems were dealt with in the same day while 23 per said they were left in limbo for more than a week. Tenants can receive wildly differing service from their landlord depending on how the property is managed. The research found that 34 per cent of landlords say they undertake all aspects of managing the homes in their portfolio themselves with 32 per cent using a managing agent. Separate figures suggests there are 1.28million landlords whose portfolios are partly or entirely selfmanaged and of this figure, some 45,000 own five or more properties. Two in five tenants say their landlord arranges the engineer on their behalf, while one in five say their landlord actually looks to carry out repairs themselves. As a result, one in three tenants report having to wait until working hours to contact their landlord to resolve their problem. TOP TEN TENANT EMERGENCY CALL OUTS 1. Central heating fault - 15% 2. Boiler fault - 14% 3. Blocked sinks - 13% 4. Blocked drains - 10% 5. Leaking taps - 7% 6. Blocked toilets - 6% 7. Leaking pipes - 5% 8. Pest problem - 5% 9. Electrical fault - 2% 10. Other - 2% Should tenants withhold rent for 'slow' repairs? During winter, a problem such as a heating breakdown or boiler fault can be a real headache for tenants. There's nothing quite like having to take an icy shower in December. How long should landlords take to repair an emergency? And can tenants withhold rent if they feel repairs are taking too long? Chris Norris, head of policy at the National Landlords Association, said: Assuming that the tenants in questions are subject to a standard Assured Shorthold Tenancy (England and Wales) then they do not have a right to withhold rent in response to needed maintenance or disrepair. There are certain, limited, circumstances in which a tenant may undertake work themselves using rent money to cover the cost. However, this is a very complicated area and they should not do so without receiving qualified advice. However, landlords have a legal obligation to respond to requests for maintenance in a timely manner, appropriate to the type of issue. This can vary, but should be reasonable given the urgency of the repair needed and how soon an appropriate contractor etc. could be expected to be appointed and begin work. Something like a boiler repair, particularly in winter, will be considered an urgent repair and should be treated accordingly. Although there is no definitive time limit the courts tend to consider how long a homeowner would take to rectify the situation and assume that up to a few days is reasonable assuming that there are not complications waiting for parts etc. So tenants suffering at the hands of a landlord refusing to carry out an urgent repair must still pay their rent, but could pursue a claim in the small claims court for the rent. Source: Thisismoney.co.uk PUBLISHED: 6 December 2013

11 Ramsey man prosecuted for illegal eviction Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms Review on condition of homes in the private rented sector will consider if new rules are needed on installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. A review starting next month on the condition of homes in the private rented sector will also consider whether or not new rules are needed on installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, ministers confirmed on 20 November Robust rules already in place require landlords to keep homes safe and habitable for their tenants across a wide range of factors including regular gas boiler checks and high standards for quality of repairs, levels of ventilation and lighting and minimising damp. The number of house fire and injuries is also at its lowest ever level, with 88% of homes fitted with smoke alarms across the country, helped by the government s fire kills campaign. Department for Communities and Local Government Published 20 November 2013 A Ramsey man has been sentenced to 39 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and ordered to undertake 100 hours of community service for illegally evicting a tenant. Following an investigation undertaken by Huntingdonshire District Council s Environmental Health Officers, Peterborough Crown Court heard that on 24 August 2012, Clive Geddes (54) of Newtown Road, Ramsey, acting as the agent to the landlord of a residential property in Ramsey Forty Foot, unlawfully entered the property, removed the tenants possessions and prevented the tenant from continuing to occupy the property. This action resulted in the tenant and her two small children being made homeless and having to relocate to emergency temporary accommodation at public expense. Clive Geddes was convicted of the offence of unlawfully depriving a residential occupier of the occupation of a property, and was sentenced on 18 December On passing sentence, the Judge invited the tenant to obtain independent legal advice in the pursuit of damages from the defendant and stated that she had substantial prospects of success in civil proceedings. Councillor Robin Howe, Executive Councillor for Healthy and Active Communities said: This was a particularly callous act which unlawfully deprived a mother and her children of their home simply because the agent found a tenant who would pay more rent for the property. The District Council will not allow vulnerable people to be exploited in this way, and I am very pleased that Mr Geddes has been convicted of this offence. Source: HDC - Environmental and Community Health Services Media Contacts: Donna Rockett, Corporate Project Officer

12 Useful Contact Numbers Keith Tayler, Private Sector Housing, HDC Sue Questier, Housing Environmental Health Officer, HDC Julia Blackwell, Energy & Efficiency Officer, HDC Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) National Landlords Association (NLA) Eastern Landlords Association (ELA) Tenancy Deposit Protection Team Energy Saving Advice Service Valuation Officer Agency (Ground Floor Ferrers House, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AB) The Landlords Forum is organised and delivered by the Council s Private Housing Section which is a division of Planning and Strategic Housing Services. The section may be contacted by private landlords and tenants seeking general advice on landlord and tenant law. Advice is also available online at; The Huntingdonshire Landlords Forum is a central part of the housing service the Council provides to private sector landlords. The Forum exists so that landlords can meet Officers and other landlords to share their experiences. The Council is there to arrange the meetings, invite along guest speakers, listen to what landlords have to say and, where it is needed, offer support and advice. What do we get in return? We get good feedback about what landlords think of the services the Council provides and landlords use: Housing Benefits; Environmental Health Services, Landlord and Tenant Advice and Housing Grants. We also get good information about how an important group of local housing providers run their businesses. All this helps us to plan services to the private sector that are rooted in an understanding of what the key issues are for landlords, their tenants and prospective private tenants. Hopefully this will help us to raise our standards and in so doing help raise standards across the local lettings industry. The Forum is not a Council-sponsored talking shop. Landlords views are canvassed and considered when we came to reviewing and producing our policies and we can sometimes introduce suggested changes. If you are a landlord or a prospective landlord the Forum is for you. Join our mailing list by phoning We will let you know about our programme of meetings and send you a copy of our free newsletter. If you are new to the industry we will also send you a copy of our landlord pack which is full of the information you will need to help you make a success of your business. This section may also be contacted for information about; Landlord Grants Repairs Assistance Loans Landlord and Tenant Law Tenancy Agreements Finding a suitable tenant for your accommodation Advertising available property for rent Registered Rents and Local Housing Allowance The Council s Private Sector Housing Strategy The Council s Empty Property Initiatives For information or advice please contact; Keith Tayler, Private Sector Housing Officer Telephone: Next Landlords Forum to be held on 12th March 2014 at Pathfinder House, Huntingdon 6.30pm - 8pm If you wish to have an item included onto the agenda please contact me on the number above. The opinions and views expressed in the landlord s newsletter are not necessarily those of the Huntingdonshire District Council and all information is accepted in good faith at the time of going to press. HPS-1000 Produced by HDC Document Centre