Quality Homes in Quality Neighbourhoods SLHD Private Landlord Service Rebecca Wilkie Head of Access and Inclusion Jen Cooper Empty Property Service Manager
About St. Leger Homes St. Leger Homes of Doncaster is an ALMO established in 2005 to manage the day-to-day running of 21,000 council homes and to deliver a major programme of Government investment to bring council homes up to the Decent Homes Standard We achieved 3 star status at our last Audit Commission inspection in 2010 and have achieved many other awards and accreditations to confirm us as specialists and excellent in housing management
About St. Leger Homes St Leger Homes Private Landlord Services have been developed in partnership with Doncaster Council to contribute towards both the strategic objectives of meeting housing need and bringing empty homes back into use. In 2010/11 we embarked on a number of new business initiatives. One being our Private Landlord Management Service. We have been externally validated by the Tenant Services Authority and awarded Managing Agent Status.
The challenge Increasing waiting list Low turn over of social housing properties High level of empty private sector properties
The challenge 12,000 active applications 2005/ 06 2006/ 07 2007/ 08 2008/ 09 2009/ 10 2010/ 11 2011/ 12 2012/ 13 Year Number of Voids per annum 1667 1750 1396 1399 1593 1668 1614 1668
About St. Leger Homes St. Leger Homes have vast experience in managing rented homes The Landlord Services team are specialists in: Managing rent, including Housing Benefits Dealing with tenancy agreement issues Providing a personal and professional service to tenants and landlords
About St. Leger Homes Learning organisation Quarterly Reviews in full consultation Checks and measures
Private Landlord Services We developed three levels of service: BRONZE (which we removed) SILVER GOLD
Private Landlord Services Bronze tenant find including offering assistance with Council tax and benefit forms, accompanied viewings and the provision of a Welcome Pack
Private Landlord Services Silver in addition to the features of the Bronze package access to SLHD s 24-hour repairs service (which are re-chargeable to the Landlord) a pre-termination inspection including meter readings management of the property while ever it is empty managing the tenancy (including tenancy breaches)
Private Landlord Services Gold in addition to all of the features of the Silver package annual gas servicing heating system checks
Private Landlord Services Tenancy All private landlord properties are let using an assured short hold tenancy agreement The overall aim is to sustain tenancies over a long-term
Property Standard Private Landlord Services We require any property that we manage to be in a reasonable condition to an agreed lettable standard. All of the properties have to be free of hazards as prescribed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System as well as being safe, secure and clean - with all facilities and components in good working order.
Landlord Criteria Private Landlord Services Property meets lettable standard Proof of buy to let mortgage Proof of landlord buildings insurance Gas Safety Certification Electrical Test Certificate Asbestos Management Survey (Type 2) Energy Performance Certificate Willingness to work together All of which are covered within the Property Management Agreement.
Moving Forward Private Landlord Services New allocations policy Welfare Reform Access to banking Support to manage finances Private Landlords and Letting and Managing Agents (Regulation) Bill
About St. Leger Homes We began our Private Landlord scheme in May 2011 and currently have 52 landlords on board with 60 properties. Target of 89 properties through DMBC within the next year.
Private Landlord Services What worked well One team Getting the right staff Our experience Relationship with HB Relationship with Private Sector Team Honesty with customers Discussions around lettability
Private Landlord Services What could we have done better? Resourcing the set up of the service Communication with prospective tenants Rent deposit / Bond scheme
Private Landlord Services Questions?
Private Landlord Services St. Leger Homes contact details Rebecca Wilkie Head of Access and Inclusion tel. (01302) 736362 Jen Cooper Empty Homes Service Manager tel. (01302) 736382 privatelandlordservice@stlegerhomes.co.uk www.stlegerhomes.co.uk/private_landlord_service