A London Labour council is putting an extra £400,000 into enforcement against private landlords allegedly ignoring serious damp and mould issues.
The additional funding - an extra 25 per cent on the original budget - will go to Hackney council’s private sector enforcement team.
A statement says this adds to council’s own plans to tackle damp and mould in its own housing stock, including a five day turnaround to address all reported damp and mould issues and a next day repair programme.
Since December the council claims to have responded to over 70 reports of damp and mould in privately rented homes, with each report acted on within five days and enforcement notices served where the landlords fails to take steps to resolve the issue.
Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville says: “We’ve already announced clear plans to tackle damp and mould in council properties – this additional investment we are making available in this year’s budget will mean we can provide the same support for private renters.”
And Sam Moema - whose title is Mayoral Advisor for Private Renting and Housing Affordability - adds: “This funding boost will allow us to use every power to raise standards of accommodation and challenge rogue landlords in the borough, while we continue to lobby the national government for the protections that our private renters deserve.”
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How can a landlord be held responsible for other peoples poor actions ? 🫤🫤
We have two female tenants who dry huge amounts of wet washing with windows shut all day whilst working 14+ hours. They also flooded the kitchen with a washing machine hose leak and porch flooding from not shutting the front door properly, both mid winter and likely still trying to dry out. Now they're complaining about the inevitable black mould and dampness and claim that the flat is at fault. I check daily for open windows but they're still closed with water running down the windows and likely cold walls too. We're new to letting and have a pledge to actually reduce the rent after one year for the right tenants who we feel deserve it and need help. The previous owner also kept rent low for the right tenancy and it worked, for over ten years with no tenancy problems, so these two idiots have really lost out !
They will NEVER change, whilst we still have s21…. Get them out now ! Or you will be left with them.
The latest big stick to hit the landlord with. The it’s the tenants fault but your accountable attitude that’s simply another reason to turn to holiday let’s or walk away from yet another example of why nobody wants to invest in the sector to extent it’s needed due to soundbite government.
Our agents have issued them with a notice, within the six month window (?) for renewing the agreement which is May, so hopefully they'll be out by then?? Question marks because we're new to this and with only the one investment rental purchased last summer with myself personally spending July and August refurbishing the place. The freeholders are the local council authority. May I ask if this is a good thing? It's in a block of four with the council having ownership of the remaining three flats. The condition of the block is excellent with a sound roof, new windows and porches, it's brilliant.
All they have to do is open the ****** windows !!!!
As I've said in other posts I have one at present, I'm keeping a record of all actions, I also drive past when ever I'm in the area and recording dates and times and if any windows are open, this could get nasty but I will be prepared
If the Council own the other 3, doesn't that mean that you will have to pay 1/4 of any repair bills they deem necessary, no matter how inflated or unnecessary?
Do the other 3 have Council tenants on social rents?
I would stick to properties where I either have the same vote as everyone else or, ideally, total control of all repair expenditure where I can use reputable self employed tradesmen, ideally not VAT registered.
My friend had properties in a council block. Boasted about how cheap he got them. Great yields etc. He’s sold them all now. Got stupid prices for repairs and services charges. Numpties at the council running things…
Nick
That's what I would expect.
In order of importance to avoid I would list:
1. Councils
2. Other public sector organisations.
3. Big corporates.
4. Smaller corporates.
As I said above, I much prefer to deal with smaller local reputable tradesmen, ideally self employed and not VAT registered.
Unfortunately most of my most trusted tradesmen are barely younger than me and thinking of retirement, so I will have to train up a whole new generation over the next few years before I apparently turn decrepit at 79!
It will take a while to get them out. My S21 application to the court was quick. Applied at the end of Jan. But bailiff instructed last week. I imagine you will need to wait for them.
Don't use council bailiffs they're a waste of time, get the real no nonsense boys in
Are you referring to some 'heavies'?
No, Sheriffs , proper bailiffs
My solicitor said bailiffs.
I would ask him Nick which bailiffs he's instructing, council one's are about as much use as a chocolate teapot
Thanks Andrew. Will do. I though they had to be court bailiffs? Who do you think I need?
Big sticks?
Personally Nick for the sake of £60 I would up grade to the high court, in the past I've used The Sheriffs Office 0333 001 5100 , you've come this far at great expense and stress you don't want to fall at the last hurdle
Andrew, sorry but above you say not sheriffs?
I understand there is country court bailiffs and high court bailiffs. I understand you need a good reason to go for the high court bailiff. You have to get permission from a judge. I asked the NRLA about this too.
Sorry Nick I wasn't clear, what you do need are high court bailiffs who are sheriffs, if you have your court eviction papers a judge has to give permission, he cannot withhold permission, I've never had a problem, always done it myself without a solicitor both for eviction and debt collection
Thank you Andy.
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