News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the August / September 1999 issue RPI news archive

In brief - August / September 1999

Landlords can no longer afford to take housing benefit tenants, said RLA chairman Martin Moylan last month. 'Landlords' income from housing benefit has slumped, risking the long term maintenance of property standards. And landlords have rent "clawed back" because tenants do a "flit", leaving without proper notice and not telling the housing benefit office they have moved. No landlords are now taking housing benefit tenants where they have the option'. Moylan was commenting after publication of RLA research into housing benefit statistics (reported in RPI last issue).
Showing that 'the Government's welfare policy is apparently being planned on dangerously incorrect estimates' and on a basis which ignores 'a dramatic reduction of capacity in the private rented sector'.

Birmingham has been chosen to pilot the Government's scheme to combat cowboy builders. The pilot will start in the autumn with plans to launch the scheme nationally next summer.

The RLA has two new branches, Blackpool where Lee Dribben is chairman, and South Leeds, chaired by Chris Town. Dribben (01253 392288) and Town (0113 273 8128) have also joined the RLA board. The South Leeds branch, which had its inaugural meeting only last month, was formed when members of the South Leeds Landords Association decided to join the RLA. The branch will meet every two months with the next meeting planned for September to which all local RLA members invited.

Letsure has relaunched its Tenant Assessment Service which draws on the personal credit information maintained by credit vetting specialist Equifax and its own insurance claims records. Although primarily designed for letting agents, the company says it will provide its service to professional landlords with multiple properties under their own management. Comprehensive prospective tenant assessments, which include 'financial, social and employment information' cost £17 plus VAT, £5 more for response within 24 hours.

Although Government policies may create greater interest in conversion of commercial property to residential use, 'conversion will never be a primary area of market activities', according to members responding to a survey for the British Property Federation. There are generally too many problems facing would-be converters at present. These include unsuitability of space for residential use, planning restrictions and an unsympathetic tax system said respondents.
 

other artilces from the August / September 1999 issue

• Unconvincing Arguments
• In brief
• Empty promises on council tax exemptions
• Date accommodation left landlord unassured
• Squatters win in London tussles
• HMO definition too broad