Isobel Thompson
-
Features
Are your deposits safe?
The collapse of client account service provider ARPM has thrown a spotlight on the complex area of client money protection. Are changes needed? Richard Reed investigates.
Read More » -
Features
Learning the RoPA
When it eventually comes, RoPA will demand training, but it’s not just about box-ticking, it’s about doing the job better and winning more business for the firm, says Richard Reed.
Read More » -
Latest property news
‘Rogue landlords should have their properties confiscated’
A shock report into the private rented sector or PRS has recommended rogue landlords should have their properties confiscated,
Read More » -
Features
A question of property: Isobel Thomson, NALS
Nigel Lewis talks to the industry’s leading lights about the big issues. This week, it’s the turn of Isobel Thomson, CEO of the National Approval Lettings Scheme (NALS).
Read More » -
Latest property news
CMA rejects industry forum’s call for letting fees ban review
The NALS-organised industry Fair Fees Forum has had its request for a letting fees ban review rejected by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which says there is too little time to complete it. “Given the pivotal role played by the private rented sector, we feel this decision is a missed opportunity to review the way the sector works to deliver the best outcome for all concerned,” says Isobel Thompson (pictured, below), Chief Executive of the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS). Irreparable damage The CMA decision not to get involved comes despite the Forum warning that great care must be taken not to cause “irreparable damage” to this part of the private rented sector by rushing through a ban without “fully considering the impact on the sector.” The news may surprise many in the industry who had been led to believe that after the soon-to-be published results of the consultation – and given both the pressures on parliamentary time and the need for primary legislations to impose a ban – it was unlikely that one would be introduced until next year. This would have given the CMA plenty of time to review the details of the ban. “This is disappointing news for the…
Read More » -
Latest property news
Bill banning tenant fees gives Minister room to exempt
The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) says that the proposed total ban on fees charged by letting agents to tenants may be subject to exemptions following an amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill currently passing through the Lords. The amendment, which was published on Friday by the legislation’s sponsor, Baroness Grender (pictured, left), said that although a total ban on fees was being sought, she had introduced an amendment to to replace the previous prescriptive list that she says would have led to “new names for charges to get round it” and enable the Secretary of State to allow certain kinds of fees. “If evidence emerges of services in respect of which there is value to the tenant in charging a particular fee, this can be done”, she said. “I do not anticipate any such fees but my new amendment allows for the possibility, if concrete evidence was indeed found that a fee for a specific service would be in the best interest of the tenant in some way”. NALS believes this is significant development because it appears to recognise the legitimate charging of reasonable fees by letting agents setting up tenancies. “This amendment is a welcome one. NALS has long campaigned…
Read More »
