Transcript Today’s discussion

Update on the Progress of SEAL
to
The Landlords Forum
Thursday 15th August 2013
New Steering Group Members
David Dedman FRICS
Michelle Reeve of Peak Property
Mark Danniells of Host Property
David Batter of the Westcliff Community
Association
Service Requests and Complaints
A lot has been achieved since the last Forum, responding to many service
requests through:
• SEAL Identification Stickers in Members Properties
• Increased cooperation from the Council, firm processes in place within
the Private Sector Housing (PSH) Team and Customer Contact Centre
(CSC), ensuring that SEAL Members have the opportunity to resolve cases
before they come to the attention of the PSH, avoiding the likelihood of
formal inspections
Service Requests and Complaints continued
• When a tenant or resident makes and enquiry and has not
contacted SEAL they will be directed to do so before the
enquiry is escalated to the PSH or other Council Team.
• There is a better understanding of SEAL’s aims throughout
the Council
• Good feedback on how SEAL is fielding and helping resolve
these complaints.
Recent Achievements
• The troublesome Tenant List is operating, ask for guidance
sheet showing the approved Data Protection clause to enable
us to share information about existing tenants. Members who
have already got their tenants to sign this clause are already
adding their problematic tenants names to the list which
members receive.
Advertising with SEAL
Advertise you are a SEAL Member
• Logos ready to use for business paperwork and press
advertising
• Prove you are a professional landlord or Agent by demonstrating
you follow the SEAL Code of Conduct backed by SBC
Joint Advertising Campaign
• We will be contacting members shortly to discuss a joint
advertising campaign to increase the awareness of SEAL in the
local press
• We hope to attract editorial to compliment our advertising
• Expanding the SEAL website to include advertising for
recommended SEAL Partners, who will be allowed to use the
SEAL Partner logo.
Reminder to Members
• Get the identification stickers installed, most tenants are proud that
their landlord belongs to an elite group.
• Send 2 examples of your 6 monthly inspection sheets to Tina no
later than the end of August
• Collect a helpful checklist at out desk, or request by email to Tina.
• Any queries and difficulties you may have with our procedures
please get in touch with Tina or Judith, and remember we have a
lady who can visit and help you to SEALise your paperwork, first half
an hour for free. Get the details from Tina.
Not a SEAL Member yet ?
• Help us to help you by joining SEAL and become part of a collective voice
for Landlords and Agents locally, and nationally through our associations.
• Work together with Southend Borough Council to raise the standards of
local rented properties and the Anti-Social behaviour of the tenants
renting those properties, through the more supported management
procedures of SEAL
Stop Press
• The decision at the July Steering Group meeting was that the HMO area of
the market deserves a special discussion focussing on how our members
can achieve the property standards, and manage the Anti Social Behaviour
as required by the Council, against the background of troubled tenants
who need a lot of professional help.
• Members known to operate in the area have been invited to contribute to
this meeting, as have the specialist agencies such as HARP and the Council
Officers experienced in that area. Watch this space!
End 15.08.2013