Housing charity blasts misleading rent-to-rent claims

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Shelter has strenuously denied that it is involved in any rent-to-rent schemes after it was claimed that the charity was either acting as a guarantor or had placed tenants in rented properties.

It has threatened to take legal action against any individual or organisation which uses Shelter’s name to “promote, encourage investment in, or add legitimacy to a venture”. The group adds: “We would like to make it clear that Shelter have not at any time and will not be involved in these or any other property investment schemes. Claims that Shelter are, or may be, involved in these schemes are bogus and fraudulent.”

Action Fraud

It explains that it does not directly place tenants in properties, does not own any residential properties and does not lease, let or rent any residential properties. The group says it has notified Action Fraud of at least one scheme purporting to involve Shelter.

It adds: “In 2022 we were made aware of more than one instance of an employee of ACH Investments Ltd (company number: 12368029) wrongly representing Shelter and issuing contracts in which Shelter were named as tenants in a rent-to-rent scheme, dating as far back as 2019. Shelter has not entered into any agreement, or had any dealings whatsoever with ACH Investments Ltd.”

Offering education

“It’s totally understandable that Shelter don’t want to endorse a particular guaranteed rent company,” Landlord Action’s Paul Shamplina tells LandlordZONE. “What they should be doing is offering education to tenants dealing with these companies and the possible ramifications if it goes wrong, which we’ve seen a big increase in during and after Covid.”

LandlordZONE has tried to contact ACH Investments.

• Shelter says 24,060 households were threatened with homelessness in England as a result of a Section 21 order in 2022, 50% higher than in 2021, while 290,330 faced homelessness, a rise of 6%.

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DAY TO GO: Get ahead in property investment at the free Virtual Property Exhibition

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This is a friendly reminder that the Virtual Property Exhibition, brought to you by the property investors network, is happening tomorrow (Friday 12th May 2023). Why not join 9 industry experts from all over the UK?

This FREE 1-day event is designed to help property investors like you

View Full Article: DAY TO GO: Get ahead in property investment at the free Virtual Property Exhibition

Manchester rolls out next wave of selective licensing schemes

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Five more selective licensing schemes have opened in Manchester, covering 700 private sector homes.

Landlords in four new areas will now need to apply for a licence, in Levenshulme: Matthews Lane, Longsight: The Royals, Moss Side & Whalley Range: Claremont Road/Great Western Street/Bowes Street, and Rusholme: Birch Lane, Off Laindon Road and Dickenson Road. An early bird discount is available until 8th August.  

The new designations follow a public consultation last October. According to the council, potential schemes in Cheetham will need further investigation and it has promised to review the case for including this area in a future phase following further consultation.  

Four schemes

Four schemes already operate in the city, in The Ladders – Gorton and Abbey Hey, Hyde Road – Gorton and Abbey Hey, Trinity – Harpurhey and Ben Street area – Clayton and Openshaw.  

The council reports that 1,887 properties have been fully licensed since 2017, with 677 compliance inspections carried out; 82 properties were non-compliant and enforcement action has included 21 civil penalty notices totalling fines of £115,299.

Significant improvements

There are about 90,000 private rented homes in Manchester, 38% of the city’s housing supply, says councillor Gavin White, executive member for housing and employment, who adds that without intervention to tackle housing issues, it wouldn’t see long-term significant improvements. “This is where selective licensing is proving impactful, and our residents are seeing tangible improvements in their homes,” explains White.

“Of course, we know that the majority of landlords take their responsibilities seriously and work hard to provide a safe and well-managed property. But it is important that we work to tackle those landlords who seem willing to put their tenants’ safety at risk.”  

A new devolution deal was agreed by the government earlier this year to give the 10 Greater Manchester councils powers to approve larger selective licensing schemes.

View Full Article: Manchester rolls out next wave of selective licensing schemes

Renters Reform Bill is delayed – again

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In news that will not surprise anyone, the government has revealed that ‘procedural issues’ have delayed the publication of the Renters Reform Bill that is poised to shake up the private rented sector, the Mirror reveals.

It is now more than four years since the government first unveiled its plans to improve renters’

View Full Article: Renters Reform Bill is delayed – again

Hold-up for Renters’ Reform Bill blamed on ‘procedural issues’

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The government has delayed its long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill, raising fears from the opposition that the draft legislation could be diluted.

It blamed the hold-up on “procedural issues” after Housing Secretary Michael Gove promised last week that the Bill would begin life a few days after the King’s coronation. A Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities spokesman told The Mirror: “We are absolutely committed to delivering a fairer deal for renters.”

Fuel doubts

Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy warned the further delay would fuel doubts that ministers will deliver fully on their promises to the UK’s private renters. She said: “This government has already abandoned first-time buyers by caving in on housing targets. My message to ministers on rent reform is clear – do not backtrack on the promises you have made, do not drop any commitments, do not roll over to your backbenchers again.”

Labour has promised to bring in its own renter reform charter to beef up rights if it gets into power.

Four years

When the Renters’ Reform Bill is finally published it will be four years since the government first announced its proposals on ‘a new deal for renting: resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants’ back in 2019. After a protracted consultation, suggested measures are set to include abolishing Section 21, a property portal, requiring private rented properties to meet the Decent Homes Standard and establishing a new ombudsman covering private landlords.

The DLUHC spokesman added: “We will bring forward legislation very shortly, which will include a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions, so that all tenants have greater security in their homes and are empowered to challenge poor conditions. We are also introducing a Decent Homes Standard for the Private Rented Sector for the first time ever which will make sure privately rented homes are safe and decent.”

View Full Article: Hold-up for Renters’ Reform Bill blamed on ‘procedural issues’

Small claims action against managing agents?

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Hello, in one of my tenanted properties, there was a flat-to-flat water leak (from my flat) – there are 80 flats in total. The managing agents were advised by the flat below mine and it was classified as an urgent water leak.

View Full Article: Small claims action against managing agents?