Signup to the SWLA
Rogue landlords have been put on notice as government has announced (28 December 2017) a raft of new measures to crack down on bad practices, stamp out overcrowding and improve standards for those renting in the private sector.
Housing Minister Alok Sharma has set out how, subject to parliamentary clearance, landlords renting properties in England occupied by 5 or more people, from 2 or more separate households will need to be licensed (regardless of how many floors the property has).
New rules will also come into force setting minimum size requirements for bedrooms in houses of multiple occupation to prevent overcrowding. As part of the licencing requirements, local councils will be able to make sure only rooms meeting the standard are used for sleeping.
Government has also set out details of criminal offences which will automatically ban someone from being a landlord. From April 2018, someone convicted of offences such as burglary and stalking can be added to the database of rogue landlords and be barred from renting properties.
For further information, please see the Gov.uk website;
The Trago2Business Sale
Wednesday 27th DECEMBER 2017 TO Wednesday 31st JANUARY 2018 (INCLUSIVE)
20% DISCOUNT OFF STOCK CARPETS, FURNITURE, FITTED KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
(MAXIMUM DISCOUNT – NOT IN ADDITION TO YOUR T2B DISCOUNT)
OTHER DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR YOUR USUAL T2B DISCOUNT.
PLEASE PROCESS ALL TRANSACTIONS THROUGH YOUR T2B ACCOUNT, PRESENTING YOUR CARD FOR EACH PURCHASE. YOUR USUAL DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE BUT BE ASSURED THAT THE DIFFERENCE, TO REFLECT THE JANUARY SALE DISCOUNT, WILL BE CALCULATED AT THE END OF THE SALE PERIOD AND A CHEQUE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT OWED WILL BE ISSUED TO YOU ON THE 27TH JANUARY 2017.
CASH CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: –
IF YOU WISH TO PLACE A LARGE ORDER AND BENEFIT FROM THE 20% DISCOUNT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE PLEASE EMAIL THE OFFICE AT sales@trago2business.co.uk.
CREDIT ACCOUNT CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE:-
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH THE TILL RECEIPT WILL SHOW YOUR USUAL DISCOUNT, THE CORRECT LEVEL OF DISCOUNT WILL BE REFLECTED ON YOUR INVOICE.
** SWLA Members, if you have not yet arranged your Trago2Business discount card, please contact the SWLA office for details on how to apply.
The SWLA office will close at 1pm on Friday 22nd December 2017.
We will open again at 10am on Wednesday 3rd January 2018.
Emails and phone messages will be checked regularly during the closed period so if you have any queries, feel free to email or leave a voice mail.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you to everyone who came along to our open office afternoon yesterday (Wednesday 13th December). It was great to catch up with members and welcome new members.
Our next meeting is the SWLA AGM on Wednesday 24th January 2018, 7.30pm at the Future Inn hotel, Plymouth.
Following the AGM, there will be a finger buffet and drinks. We hope to see you there.
(Please note, this is a members only meeting)
Watch this video by ‘Plymouth Energy Community’ to get some great tips on how to prevent mould and what to do if it becomes a problem;
http://www.plymouthenergycommunity.com/saving/damp-mould
Video produced in partnership with Plymouth City Council.
Iain (Vice-Chair) and Gillian (Office Manager) attended Plymouth City Council’s steering group meeting at Ballard House (Friday 8th December).
Items on the agenda included the Charter for Private Renting, HMO Licencing, changes in legislation and civil penalties as an alternative to prosecution for a range of housing offences.
SWLA AGM–
Wednesday 24th January 2018-
Future Inn Plymouth-
7.30pm
Christmas Open Office Afternoon-
Wednesday 13th December 2017
3pm – 6pm
Come and enjoy a mince pie and a drink with committee members, office staff and other SWLA members.
Gillian Kerr represented SWLA at the West of England Landlord Panel meeting in Bristol on Wednesday 6th December 2017.
Topics discussed included;
Minimum EPC requirements
Tenants Fees Bill
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector
Universal Credit
House Conditions Surveys
Licensing Updates
Prosecutions and other enforcement action
Market conditions