Transcript Presentation by Private Rented Sector Access Team at The Wallich

Private Rented Sector Access Team
Marcia Williams
Context
• Housing (Wales) Act 2014
– Pt 1 Regulation of Private Rented Housing
– Pt 2 Homelessness
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Renting Homes Bill – Tenancy Reform
• Need to increase supply of good quality
affordable private rented properties
• Improve access to the private rented sector
What has been going on in Swansea?
• Local authority commitment
• Developing a corporate approach to the
development of the private rented sector
• Partnership working with The Wallich
• Steering groups set up - key stakeholders
• Co-ordinated approach to the delivery
of services
Developing a model to meet local need
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Meeting local authority need
Subject to local market conditions
Listening to landlords / agents
Listening to tenants
Build on relationships already established
Avoid duplication
Sustainable tenancies
Landlord Survey
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Access to interest free loans
Local authority managing property
Landlords forums / updates on legislation and policy
Damage deposit guarantee
Free Energy Performance Certificates
Rent guarantees
Free landlord insurance
Discounted membership of a landlords association
Landlord Survey - Risks
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Non payment of rent
Voids
Anti-social behaviour
Pre-tenancy training / Tenancy support
Support for landlords
Tenant Feedback
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Affordable rents
Landlords accepting Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance
Preconceptions of different types of tenants
Security of tenure
Property conditions / repairs
Difficulties accessing deposits / rent in advance / guarantors
Furnishing properties
Tenancy agreements – confusing and difficult to understand
Pre–tenancy training
Housing Benefit problems
Tenancy support
Our response:
Co-ordinated partnership approach
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Local Authority
– Housing Options / Housing Benefit / Public Protection / Tenancy
Support Unit / Grants and Loans / Energy Efficiency / Corporate
Building Services / LA back office support
• The Wallich
– Swansea Bond Board / Pre-tenancy training / Crisis intervention
• Expansion of services and support to self managing
landlords
• Relocate The Wallich services into Housing Options
• Develop a Social Lettings Agency
Our Hopes:
• Work with a range of landlords and provide a flexible
service to meet individual needs
• Work with registered and licensed landlords
• All properties will meet a minimum standard
• Supply of all types of properties available at Local Housing
Allowance levels
• Prevent instances of homelessness from occurring
• Provide suitable and affordable long term housing solutions
• Landlords will have belief and confidence in a service
operated by the Local Authority & The Wallich
Our Landlord Offer “under development”
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Free HHSRS inspection
Access to interest free loans
1 point of contact
Energy efficiency advice
Discounted gas safety inspections and Energy Performance
Certificates
Access to local authority building services
Access to tenancy and legal advice for both tenants and
landlords
Mediation - increased work with landlords to prevent
homelessness
Training events / forums
Our Landlord Offer “under development”
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Links with Credit Union
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Furnishings for PRS properties
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Access to practical advice and support – promote good practice
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Access to Bonds and assistance to apply for rent in advance
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HB / LHA / Welfare Reform support and assistance to apply for
direct payments
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Pre-tenancy health checks
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Access to Pre-tenancy training / crisis intervention and longer
term tenancy support (The Wallich and Tenancy Support Unit)
Finally:
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Increase supply of good quality affordable private rented
properties
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Improve access to the Private Rented Sector
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Provide support to landlords and tenants
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Tenancy sustainment at the heart of all PRS access
schemes.
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Want to start building links with landlords
Thank you for listening
[email protected]
01792 630954
01792 630954