Associations & Bodies
News and updates from associations and member organisations in the UK residential property industry.
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Which? Magazine joins the sport ‘Bash a Letting Agent.’
Joining the media bus that thinks every agent is a ‘rogue’, Which? can’t resist adding agents’ fees to its banning demands.
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#VentYourRent campaign builds
Vent your rent: How bad is your home? Very bad, according to tenants contributing to a social media campaign launched by Generation Rent.
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The UK Apartment Association (UKAA) launches
Homes that were designed and built specifically for the rental market used, generally, to be called council houses. Not any more, councils gave way to housing associations who do indeed still build properties specifically for the rental market but the new Build to Rent sector has a broader remit – homes designed for Generation Rent – and for the future. Now, the first cross-industry organisation dedicated to driving the professionalisation of the sector has been launched. The UK Apartment Association (UKAA) will focus on driving up standards of customer service and delivery to ensure that all renters are given the best possible experience. Its creation has been championed by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, who is calling on the industry to work together to deliver more homes for rent and better standards for residents. The UKAA says that its aim is to differentiate the multi-family housing market from the amateur ad hoc rental service provided by small-scale landlords that currently make up the bulk of rentals. This is bad news in the longterm for traditional private landlords but it has to good news for tenants, especially those, says UKAA, who are making a lifestyle choice by choosing high quality, branded purpose…
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New custodial deposit schemes launched
There is now a wider choice of schemes for landlords and lettings agents to protect their tenants’ deposits. Until now, the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) was the only choice for those wanting a custodial service, where the whole deposit is handed over to the scheme for the duration of the tenancy, with no fees attached. The custodial schemes are funded entirely from the interest earned from the deposit pool. Now two new custodial services have been launched by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) and Mydeposits, to run alongside their insured schemes which enable landlords or agents to retain the deposit during the tenancy but in return pay a protection fee to the scheme. Steve Harriott (left), Chief Executive at TDS, said, “As the UK’s leading provider of tenancy deposit protection, we know that landlords and agents in the private rental sector want more choice when it comes to meeting their legal obligations to protect tenancy deposits. “The launch of TDS Custodial now gives them that choice, providing a fast, free and secure service that removes the hassle from protecting their tenant’s money. Those who make the switch to TDS Custodial can expect a quick transfer of the deposit into our…
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The PRS needs a dedicated research centre
The Trustees of the TDS Charitable Foundation have announced that the Foundation is seeking expressions of interest from organisations looking to establish a dedicated research centre for the private rented sector in England and Wales. The Foundation works to advance education about housing rights and obligations in the private rented sector. Making the announcement, Martin Partington (left), Chair of the Charitable Foundation said, “Since we established the charity in 2013, we’ve been overwhelmed with organisations seeking funding for a whole range of projects, but it has become quite apparent that there is a real gap in proper research in the PRS.” “The Trustees are concerned that there isn’t a dedicated centre for research and often when information is available, it appears in quite a fragmented way.” The TDS Charitable Foundation would be interested in receiving proposals for funding a feasibility study as to whether such a centre could be established for England and Wales. The Foundation is currently welcoming bids for the next round of funding which is open until the end of February 2016. Organisations can download an application form and view the bidding criteria online at www.tdsfoundation.org.uk Funding Enquiries: [email protected] 01442 218 031
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Shelter bashes PRS again
Housing charity Shelter Cymru is calling for an end to excessive letting agency fees, as more than a third of renters in Wales face charges of more than £200. The charity is launching an online survey for tenants who are in the private rented sector to share their experiences of the prices and hidden costs they have been charged. Current figures show more a quarter of renters in Wales who have used a letting agency have been charged what the charity calls ‘excessive fees.’ It is also says that in some cases tenants have been charged as much as one month’s rent, as well as paying for the bond and rent in advance. Letting agents argue these charges are in place to cover business and administration costs. However Shelter Cymru say they should be paid by the businesses themselves or by the landlords who are making a profit. “These letting agents fees are so unfair on tenants and are causing serious financial hardship when they have to find hundreds of pounds to cover the cost of moving. This makes renting impossible for some people, and finding good quality accommodation in the private rented sector well out of their reach. It’s…
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NLA launches new campaign
The National Landlords Association (NLA) has launched its latest campaign, Reinventing Renting, which identifies opportunities for landlords to enhance their lettings businesses. Reinventing Renting is designed to help landlords transform their businesses into more successful profitable enterprises and it contains lots of useful resources, guides and presentations, including how to: Choose the right investment Improve financial planning Expand portfolios and maximise gains Reduce exposure to a range of risks associated with letting property, such as impending interest rate rises, rent arrears and rogue tenants. The campaign focuses on supporting landlords who are struggling to turn a profit by exploring different business approaches and tenant markets, while providing assistance for landlords looking to make their business more profitable. It comes as the Summer Budget and Autumn Statement announcements could seriously affect profitability within the sector. Reinventing Renting also defines some of the good and bad characteristics of being a landlord through its ‘Vogue or Rogue’ section. Carolyn Uphill, Chairman of the NLA, said:“As the leading landlord association we’re here to provide landlords with all the tools and information needed to make a success of letting. “Over the next few months, Reinventing Renting will look at some of the key issues for…
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All change at The Property Ombudsman Scheme
After 13 years with The Property Ombudsman (TPO) – 12 as TPO Board Chairman of TPO, Bill McClintock stands down on 1st January 2016 and Gerry Fitzjohn, currently Vice Chairman, takes up the position. At a reception at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Richard Best, guests, including The Negotiator’s Editorial Director, Sheila Manchester, celebrated Bill’s achievements of and those of Christopher Hamer, The Property Ombudsman, who is also retiring, having served the maximum nine-year term as Ombudsman. With 50 years experience in estate agency, Bill joined TPO as Chief Operating Officer in 2003, becoming Board Chairman in 2004. Bill (left) said, “When I joined, there were 769 firms with 4,251 offices registered with TPO. Figures now sit at 14,400 sales and 13,500 lettings offices – a significant change. One of my main achievements was encouraging the government to enact the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007, which required all estate agents to register with an Ombudsman Scheme and to get the TPO Scheme approved by the Office of Fair Trading, considerable developments in the industry.” Gerry joined the TPO Board in 2000, from starting as a Sales Negotiator for Taylors in Stony Stratford in 1974 to National…
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Gerry Fitzjohn to Chair the TPO
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has announced that Gerry Fitzjohn, the Vice Chairman of the Board, will replace Chairman of TPO, Bill McClintock, on 1st January 2016. McClintock, who has more than 50 years’ experience in estate agency, joined TPO as Chief Operating Officer in January 2003, has held the position of Chairman since January 2014. He will now continue as a Director of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents and Fine & Country, as well as continuing with interests outside work including his role as Church Warden at St John’s, Lockerley, which he has now carried out for 24 years. During his time at the helm, the volume of offices registered with TPO has increased from 769 firms with 4,251 offices registered with the property watchdog to around 14,400 sales offices and 13,500 lettings offices. McClintock (left) commented, “I have really enjoyed my time with TPO and shall miss meeting so many connected to the industry. I hope to have made a difference in some way, but now I’m looking forward to taking some time out. I would like to wish my successor and friend Gerry Fitzjohn every success going forward.” Fitzjohn, who began serving on the TPO Board in…
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Awards honour industry’s best auctioneers
NAVA has presented Katie Semmens (right) of land and property firm Clive Emson with its prestigious Auctioneer of the Year award – the top honour at the body’s annual awards ceremony. Semmens impressed the judges with “her outstanding professional auctioneering skills, including handling difficult bidding situations whilst maintaining genuine customer empathy, and adding a good touch of humour to help lift the bid levels”, according to NAVA. The President’s Award was presented to Steven Denley-Hill, who has dedicated much of his professional life to NAVA and held several influential roles including president, chairman and CEO. The Community Award was presented to Symonds & Sampson as the company that best demonstrated their commitment to corporate and social responsibilities within the community. This year’s Property Auction House of the Year award was handed to Network Auctions “for demonstrating outstanding customer service, robust business strategy, effective marketing, profession involvement and best practice.” Phil Arnold, President, NAVA, said, “This event is an industry institute. Now in its fifth year, it’s a great way for us to show off and congratulate the great work conducted by valuers and auctioneers across the whole business. “We were extremely impressed with this year’s entrants – the standard was…
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