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Trine Dean

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Private landlords have played their part all the way throughout this crisis. Now it’s time for the government to play their part!!

From: Trine Dean 16 October 2020 12:38 PM

It is not discrimination. It’s a business decision. As with all other businesses , landlords have the right to assess risk - it’s as simple as that.

From: Trine Dean 15 July 2020 12:20 PM

Some students made a personal choice to leave their accommodation at the end of March due to Covid 19. Unlike many universities private landlords did not advice students to go home. The Government has continued to pay students their maintenance loan to cover their living costs. The loans have not been cut even if students have moved home and most students have not had their ability to pay rent impacted by Covid 19. Some might say their living costs have been cut if they have moved home. Travel restriction and the closure of pubs, restaurants and night clubs will also have had a positive impact on their finances. Universities and large student hall providers have access to vast resources and government backed commercial lending facilities unavailable to private landlords. Most landlords have mortgages which have to be paid. The 3 month mortgage holiday is only a deferred payment which will have to be paid back with interest. The rent also have to cover many other costs such as hmo licences, utility bills, taxes, management fees, university accreditation costs, fire alarm testing, gas and electricity checks, essential repairs, furniture, gardening etc. If the rent is not paid, landlords are at risk of going under. Many landlords rely on rent as their main income. Small private landlords offer a vital and affordable alternative to expensive university halls and purpose built accommodation blocks. If small landlords go bankrupt, students will be left with less choice and higher rents in the future. Landlords are still legally obliged to keep their properties in good repair and ensure the necessary inspections are performed. Landlords have to adhere by the contract and so should the tenants. Everyone has been affected by this crisis and we all need to work together and look long term instead of short term.

From: Trine Dean 22 June 2020 21:00 PM

Some students made a personal choice to leave their accommodation and return to their family home due to Covid 19. Many did not. Approx 62 out of 112 uk universities decided to waive rent for the summer term. They made this decision because unlike landlords they actually advised students to leave halls and go home. Universities and large student hall providers have access to vast resources and government backed corporate lending facilities which are not available to private landlords. It is easy to add millions of debts to a university spreadsheet when there are no personal consequences to face. Vice chancellors on highly inflated salaries and generous expense and pensions schemes are urging small private landlords to give up 1/4 of their income for this year and maybe more next year. The stereotype of a greedy landlord with a huge portfolio of properties are very outdated. Most landlords own one or two properties which they have purchased with a mortgage to provide a living income or to supplement their pensions. The vast majority of landlords are not eligible for any of the economic packages provided by the government. Mortgage holidays have to be paid back with interest. Small private landlords support the local economy and provide a vital and affordable alternative to hugely expensive university halls and large accommodation blocks. If student landlords go bankrupt due to Covid 19 students will be left with less choice and more expensive rent in the future. Students still receive their maintenance loan. Their living costs are considerably reduced as travel is restricted, gyms, pubs, clubs etc are shut. Many have not had their ability to pay rent affected by Covid 19. Landlords are still offering the service they signed up for. We still have to fulfil all our legal obligations. Students and their parents have signed a legally binding contract. The Governments advice is to still pay rent. Petitions on the subject have been rejected by the government. Many students and their parents do not understand that the rent is needed to not only pay the landlord’s mortgage but other costs such as; HMO licences, utility bills, fire alarm testing, gas safety checks, electricity checks, gardening, management fees, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, university accreditation costs, furniture etc. We keep our properties spotless but it is chocking to see how they are sometimes left at the end of the tenancy. Maintenance costs are very high for student lets. Letting agents still have to pay their rents, staff salaries and other business overheads and have been busier than ever during the pandemic responding to angry parents and students requesting to be released early from their tenancies. They also have to invest in PPE and health and safety measures to protect staff and students in the future, We consider each request for assistance on a case by case basis. If a student can prove genuine hardship we help by offering discounts and payment plans. But many, especially, middle class students/parents simply do not want to pay citing fairness. Is it fair that landlords should pay for this crisis? There is nothing fair about this pandemic. People are losing their lives and livelihoods. Of course students and landlords need to work together, but we cannot accept anyone using this pandemic for their own ends.

From: Trine Dean 29 May 2020 17:39 PM

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