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We have been approached by Alanbrookes Limited, Chartered Accountants advising that this Spring they are running a series of free workshops at the Weston-Super-Mare Offices.
The topics being covered are – Strategy, Structure, Tax, Adapt and Thrive.
For further information please view –
www.alanbrookes.org/propertyworkshops2016
www.alanbrookes.org/landlords
www.alanbrookes.org/new-events-2/
The next meeting of the Association will be held on Tuesday 26th April 2016 at the Future Inn Hotel, Plymouth International Business park, William Prance Road, Plymouth PL6 5ZD at 7.30pm.
Speakers will include :-
Paul Williams – City of Plymouth Credit Union – Credit union facilities for tenants claiming benefits including Universal Credit
Steve Paine – Immigration Officer – Right to Rent legislation and landlord checks
Bromhead Accountants – tax changes affecting landlords
Wine or orange juice will be served during the evening.
We hope to see you there, guests are very welcome.
Please remember to register your car at the hotel reception upon arrival
The consultation period regarding proposals to implement a licensing scheme in part of Weston Super Mare has been re-started from Friday 18th March 2016 giving further opportunity to respond.
The consultation will last for a further 10 weeks until 11pm on 30th May 2016.
If you have not had your say please follow the link at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/rented or alternatively you can search on the site using the words “selective licensing”.
Paper copies of the proposals are available in the Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-Super-Mare.
Rogue landlords who harass or illegally evict tenants are the subject of a new crackdown in Plymouth. Plymouth City Council is working in partnership with PATH (Plymouth Access to Housing) who have appointed a dedicated Tenancy Relations Officer to tackle these issues. The project involves the investigation of allegations of illegal eviction and harassment by landlords, and will see thorough enforcement action being taken against any landlord found to be flouting the law.
South West Landlords Association (SWLA) and Devon and Cornwall Police are partners in this initiative.
Illegal eviction, including a landlord or their agent physically denying a tenant access to their accommodation or taking a tenant’s key from them, is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Harassment of a tenant, including withdrawal of utilities, entering accommodation without informing the tenant and constantly contacting a tenant is a criminal offence under the same Act. Both offences carry the posibility of a custodial sentence. Councillor, Chris Penberthy Cabinet Minister for Coperatives and Housing for Plymouth City Council said “We are pleased to work with PATH on this important project and the officer is making great inroads into this sensitive area so far. The initiative forms part of our Plan for Private Rented Housing and our aim to drive up standards in the private rented sector. There are many excellent landlords in the private rented sector but we want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate the harassment or illegal eviction of tenants here in Plymouth. Tenants deserve to live happily and safely in their chosen home just as much as anyone else and we are working with our partners to ensure this happens”.
Section 8 (Notice seeing Possession of a Property Let on an Assured Tenancy) and Section 13(2) (Notice for proposing a new rent under an Assured Tenancy) have been amended by regulation on 6th April 2016.
SWLA are in the process of checking that our Section 8 and Section 13(2) are correct and if necessary we will amend the forms for members to download from our stationery page.
In the meantime, please see the web page below for the Government Section 8 (Form 3) and Section 13(2) (Form 4)
www.gov.uk/guidance/assured-tenancy-forms
Remember to attach the grounds to Form 3