Two councils are collaborating to offer what they call “help” to landlords as well as tenants ahead of thew Renters Rights Bill becoming law.
East Suffolk and West Suffolk councils say private landlords worried about the Bill should get in touch.
A campaign called Safe Suffolk Renters is described by the authorities as a landlord liaison service.
As part of this, the councils are now offering a so-called no-fee lettings service and guaranteed rent to private sector landlords and lettings agents with properties to let.
The service also includes a deposit bond for up to six weeks’ worth of rent and free regular property inspections to ensure to give landlords peace of mind that their property is being managed and looked after.
The aim is to support a successful tenancy which forms a wider part of the two councils’ efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Richard O’Driscoll of West Suffolk council says: “Private landlords are an important and integral part in how we collectively house our communities in West Suffolk. We know there have been lots of scary headlines about the national changes but both West Suffolk and East Suffolk Councils can help and support landlords through these changes.
“Our West Suffolk Lettings Partnership for instance is already working with landlords and letting agents to manage 130 homes on their behalf at no cost to the landlord or agent, with guaranteed rent, regular checks on the property and support for both the landlord and their tenants. From our point of view the national changes don’t need to be scary but they do present landlords and letting agents with another very good reason to look at how working with us can benefit them and their tenants. Through this they will also be helping our communities and supporting the delivery of West Suffolk’s Housing, Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy.”
And David Beavan of East Suffolk council adds: “We want to help private landlords navigate the new legislation coming their way this year. With falling interest rates and a desperate need for housing locally, there will always be a place for responsible private lets in East Suffolk.
“Rather than rushing to evict tenants and getting bogged down in court proceedings, I would urge landlords to contact us to discuss the resources we have in place to help. We can offer advice on how to prepare for changes to the system and explore options to ensure a successful tenancy without cause for eviction.”
Landlords and letting agents can find out more about how East Suffolk Council can support them at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/assets/Housing/East-Suffolk-Lettings/Information-for-landlords.pdf and support from West Suffolk Council at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/housing/privatehousing/wslp.cfm
This article is taken from Landlord Today