Landlord Accreditation Wales and Title (WALLS) Name/Date. Presented by Anne Rowland, LAW Scheme Manager

Transcription

1 Landlord Accreditation Wales and Welsh Landlord Title and Agent Licensing (WALLS) Name/Date Presented by Anne Rowland, LAW Scheme Manager

2 1.34 million homes in Wales Approx. 16% (214,400) homes in PRS Potential for 130,000 private landlords in Wales 1,123, ,599 Housing Tenure in Wales 2009/ ,649 Local Authority Registered Social Landlord Private Sector

3 History Poorest housing conditions in Wales are in PRS (LinW Survey % either defective or unfit) Councils have enforcement powers (Housing Act 2004) but mostly complaint led Large unknown of where PRS is More than ever important Housing Option (larger than Social and Council combined?)

4 HHSRS Across Wales 2010/2011

5 Council Accreditation Background To complement enforcement and HMO licensing schemes national training award scheme. Launched end of 2008 run by Cardiff Council on behalf of all 22 Councils in Wales; all fund it To cover all types of landlords and agents

6 Aim of Landlord Accreditation Wales Scheme To provide landlords (and agents) with information and professional development opportunities to allow them to operate a successful business whilst providing their tenants with safe, high quality accommodation, thereby reducing the need for intervention from Local Authorities Good landlord = both good manager & good property condition

7 Common Questions Answered: Are any properties inspected? No. Currently property verification is not part of the scheme. If landlords are part of a property based licensing scheme, All Wales accreditation scheme runs in parallel. Main thinking is better informed landlords will make the necessary changes and keep to minimum standards.

8 Membership: Approx members (2125 accredited) Accredited Members Accommodation: rented to people on Housing Benefit/LHA 2623 rented to families 3269 rented to students/shared long term other

9 Why do landlords join? To learn more about being a landlord To be recognised as a good landlord To set themselves apart from others Licensing or Uni requirement Other tangible benefits (on-going advice, website, newsletters, extra courses, etc). On accreditation receive: A certificate and copy of the scheme logo. Receive a welcome pack including a manual and a useful contacts list.

10 Case Study Energy Saving Trusts Landlords Offer: May December 2012 Advertised directly to members of LAW scheme Advertised through Councils On LAW website and in newsletters Across Wales: 415 loft installs 122 cavity wall installs

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12 Change needed? Accreditation working well but voluntary. Training proving useful tool in improving PRS - 53% in 2012 survey had improved something in relation to their rental business after undertaking the course Rapidly growing PRS many initiatives but difficult to disseminate info Studies in England ( Rugg Review ) suggesting benefit of Landlord and Agent Licensing and also Welsh Assembly Committee report into PRS. Change in Welsh Government May 2011

13 Issues to address: Poor understanding by tenants and landlords on their rights & responsibilities Much faith put in agents; but most unregulated

14 Letting & Managing Agents - Cardiff Perspective Cardiff has 157 agents!! Just under a third in Cardiff regulated as part of one of ARLA, NALS, NAEA or RICS 109 not regulated nor part of redress scheme Advertising Standards Authority ruled all agents should disclose all fees when marketing a property

15 Issues to address: Poor understanding by tenants and landlords on their rights & responsibilities Much faith put in agents; but most unregulated More accidental landlords in market maybe with only 1 property Link between Council & PRS not always understood Voluntary initiatives not always taken full advantage of Poor understanding of where PRS properties are & contact details of landlord Councils can t always flex powers as dealing with landlords who need hand holding

16 In summary: A landlord has many different guises: Portfolio professional landlord Accidental Landlord Related Landlord Manage Themselves Use an Agent Rent only to students Have a mixed portfolio Involved in HMO licensing Worried about Universal Credit Rent to a mate no written tenancy All need information, advice and support from central point Should look to professionalise the sector; landlords & agents should take role seriously, be engaged & be valued

17 Housing White Paper launched in May Further paper launched on 6 July 2012: Proposals for a Better Private Rented Sector in Wales Proposed national register for all agents and landlords in Wales Agents and managing landlords then continue on to become licensed (WALLS) Based on LAW model Enforcement by Local Authorities (+/or centrally by host LA)

18 Consultation Document Set out basis of proposals 1. Property owner registers (correspondence info & all property addresses) 2. If manage themselves: suitability test & trained = licensed 3. If don t manage must have a registered & licensed agent in place 4. For agents: register, suitability test, member of one of ARLA, NALS, RICS, etc (client money protection, ombudsman redress, etc) and 2/3rds staff trained = licensed

19 Key positives: Will provide a comprehensive register of landlords and agents in Wales Not just an administrative exercise requiring accreditation training & CPD for licence will improve knowledge levels and engagement Not reinventing the wheel ; continuing on success of LAW Also tackling agents; highly unregulated part of PRS Potential to prevent unsuitable landlords & agents from managing houses

20 In summary: WG recently published overview of consultation responses (Proposals for a Better Private Rented Sector in Wales Closed Consultation section of website) WG working on the policy instructions & speaking with internal lawyers Health Impact Assessments & Regulatory Impact Assessments Intention to start back with stakeholder events in Spring Unlikely new Housing Act in Wales will gain Royal Assent until at least spring of 2014

21 In summary: Accreditation working well but as voluntary not getting coverage necessary Welsh Government working to improve housing in Wales. Other work streams include tenancy reform (Renting Homes white paper in spring 2013), tenant handbooks etc. All about greater co-ordination in the sector; improving knowledge and raising tenant confidence (& landlord confidence in tenants) Good time to work in Wales?!?

22 Anne Rowland Tel: Homes for Wales Bulletins