Oldham gives green light to phase one of pricier new licensing scheme

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Oldham Council is going ahead with its new selective licensing scheme across seven of the town’s wards despite widespread opposition from landlords.

The first phase launches in June, while a proposed second phase, potentially covering a further 12 wards, will be consulted on and would then need Secretary of State approval. Landlords now face a £91 price hike as the licence fee is £581 per property, up from the previous £490.

Concerns expressed

The town’s original five-year scheme, which covered eight areas, ended in 2020 when its consultation studying 10 wards was scuppered by the pandemic. Last year’s survey revealed that 97% of landlords thought there was no benefit to having a landlord licensing area and many expressed concerns that it was unclear what the previous scheme had achieved or believed there was no clear evidence of how the previous fees had been spent. The National Residential Landlords Association also objected to the scheme

Two-thirds of residents reported that they had had a problem with privately rented properties, particularly with anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping, however, residents mainly said that they had felt no impact of licensing. Both landlords and residents agreed that the scheme should be rolled out borough-wide (even nationally) or not at all.

Educating landlords

Councillor Hannah Roberts, cabinet member for housing, says the original scheme helped to drive up standards by imposing management conditions and educating landlords on their management responsibilities. She defended the council’s reasons for rolling out the scheme in stages, adding: “We felt it was extremely unlikely that the Secretary of State would approve a whole borough scheme, as he recently turned down Liverpool, while not all of the borough meets the requirements to be able to set up a scheme.”

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Multiple buyers are still fighting it out for their ideal home

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Estate agents expect competition among buyers to remain fierce all year, pushing property prices up even further.

Members of The Guild of Property Professionals report that any stock is selling rapidly and predict that until they get more houses on their books, prices will increase, albeit at a less frantic pace than in 2021.

Head of sales at Whites Estate Agents in Salisbury, Tony Williams, believes that the market will be strong all year. “Currently we are listing correctly priced properties, which will sell within a week with multiple viewers and mostly multiple offers,” he says. “We never list anything now without the term ‘guide price’. Fundamentally we have way too many people living in the UK for too few properties.”

Economic recovery

Based on the expected scale of interest rate increase, stock levels won’t rise any time soon, agrees James Millard, of James Millard Estate Agents in Kent, who adds: “If we see an end to the war in Ukraine, a continued economic recovery after Covid and renewed impetus in strengthening the UK economic position globally, post Brexit, people will gain confidence and there would be a whole new surge in activity.”

However, Melfyn Williams, of Williams & Goodwin and All Wales Auction, believes that 2022 could be the year the market calms down. “Most ‘booms’ and significant house price growth last about 18 months,” says Williams. “Any longer periods of sustained rapid growth usually end in misery, therefore a cooling now is to be expected and notwithstanding outside issues affecting the market, should provide a return to normality rather than a crash.”

Market appraisals

While most agents are experiencing constrained levels of stock, some have more listings coming to market, such as Roger Wilkinson, of Wilkinson Grant & Co in Exeter, who explains: “Judging by the vast numbers of market appraisals we have carried out in recent months, we predict a return to a ‘more normal’ market in quarter two and with it a slowdown in house price growth.”

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DWP address for repayment?

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Hi, Does anyone have the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) address for returning overpaid rental income?

I have seen a phone number advertised, but I would much rather write to them and then be able to transfer the overpayments via bacs bank transfer to ensure my repayment goes through and have a clear record of where it went.

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Association mourns the death of PRS stalwart John Stewart

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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is sad to confirm that its deputy director for policy and research, John Stewart, has died after being diagnosed with cancer.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, says during his time there, and before that with the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), John was a popular and valued friend, colleague and mentor who worked tirelessly for the organisation and its members with passion and conviction.

Sense of humour

“Known for his love of Eurovision and Kilmarnock FC, John was well respected within the industry for his knowledge and experience and was committed to creating a fair and well-functioning private rented sector for landlords and tenants alike,” says Beadle. “He will be missed by many. Whilst we mourn his loss, we fondly remember his sense of humour and the kindness and support he showed towards those he met and worked with. These continued to be his hallmarks, even as he faced his devastating diagnosis.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to John’s husband, Neil, and his wider family and friends at this difficult time.”

Manchester Pride

John had held his post since the NRLA was established in 2020, and before that was policy manager for the RLA for almost six years. Prior to joining the RLA he served as chief executive of Manchester Pride, having been a councillor in Aberdeen for nine years, including almost two years as its leader.

John is pictured at the Future Renting Wales conference at Jury’s Inn, Cardiff, on 28^th November 2018. Photo by Mark Hawkins for the Residential Landlords Association.

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