IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS Housing Benefits (Landlords) 01952 383858 Benefits & Council Tax 01952 383838 Environmental Health 01952 381818 (including noisy neighbours) Domestic violence helpline 0808 2000 247 Highway Maintenance Team 01952 384384 Abandoned Vehicles 0300 333 3000 Environmental Maintenance 01952 384000 (Roads, signs, lighting, footpaths etc) Recyclefortelford.gov.uk (missed collection) Private Landlords/Tenants 01952 381877 Kathy Hawley 01952 381875 Landlords.liason@telford.gov.uk Environmental.health@telford.gov.uk Police 0300 333 3000 or (Emergency ) 999 Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Transco 0800111999 (if you smell Gas) To establish Gas suppliers 0870 608 1524 To establish Electricity suppliers 0345 601 5972 (Power Cuts) 0800 31 63 105 Princess Royal Hospital 01952 641222 or (Shropdoc in Emergencies) 0333 222 66 55 All information and advice in this newsletter is given in good faith. Wrekin Landlords Association accept no liability for actions or damages arising from its content. 2019 meetings: All at The Venue, Queen Street, Madeley. Jan 8th, April 9th, July 9th 2019. Next Annual Dinner Friday 17th May 2019 Representatives of The Wrekin Landlords Association can be contacted on : TENANT REFERENCING CHECK 07931311612 (Paul Spiers) The Chairman: Mr. Bernie Lewis (01952 727322) E-mail bpm.lewis@btinternet.com Treasurer, Mr. Paul Spiers 07931311612 or write to WREKIN LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION, The Cornerhouse, 57, High Street, Madeley TF7 5AT 20 Website www.wrekinlandlords.com 20 Winter 2018/19 Property Matters The Official Newsletter of the Wrekin Landlords Association NEXT MEETING Tuesday January 8th 7.00 p.m. The Venue 15 Queen Street, Hills Lane, Madeley, Telford, TF7 4LA Come along and find out the latest about your business and Association. Topics covered this meeting are: Electricity in our lives and our homes." - Explained so you can understand. By Tony Sparks Hardman. Criminals in our midst addressed by Police Sergeant Louise A Hickman, Telford Serious Violence Strategy Project IN THIS ISSUE... LANDLORD AWARDS NIGHT HOMES BILL. AGENT FINED 43,000 ENDORSMENTS 2019 ANNUAL DINNER SAVE MONEY ON BTL INSURANCE AND MUCH MORE... My life in Property 1 By Tony Hardman. (page 6)
CONTENTS FRONT COVER Meeting January 8th 2019 BTL insurance savings 3 Homes Bill 2017-19. 4 Landlord Awards night 5 My Life in property 6/7 Did you know? 8 Members say. Laugh it off 10/11 Annual Dinner 12 Renewals 13 Energy changes 14 Endorsements 16 Agent fined 43,000. 17 LHA Rates for 2019 18 Classified Ads 19 Contacts 20 Chairman's Letter. Dear Members Firstly a quick note; if any of you have not received a reply from anything sent to Chairman@wrekinlandlords.com then I apologise, we have a temporary problem so please re-send your enquiry to me at bpm.lewis@btinternet.com The time seems to be zipping by and here we are welcoming in 2019, new starts, fresh beginnings and all that. Our Autumn Conference seems like only a distant memory now but nevertheless a good memory, it really did cement our relationship with the Council and was a harbinger of better times to come. Talking of better times I am certainly looking forward to Landlord Awards Night on February 7th (see page 5) it is another start of a new era of positive relations between the Council and the Private rented sector. Of course the Annual Dinner is coming round again in May (see page 12) and look up the band, it s going to be a very special night. On a serious note the prosecution and fining of a local letting agent does bring it home to us just how serious it is to keep up the standards of our properties see page 17. Anyway, we look forward to seeing you all at our meeting on January 8th and in the meantime we wish you all the compliments of the season and enjoy the holidays with your families. Kindest regards. Bernie. ACCOUNTANTS Kew Associates 01952 216872 Neil Phillips 01952 522004 BUILDING Rob 07812 346559 CARPET SUPPLY & FITTING AST (Dawley) 01952 630143 Doug 07813 848583 CARPET CLEANING Shropshire Carpet cleaners 01952 884171 CLEANING Make It Sparkle 07886199341 Vortex Cleaning 01952 506519 CONDENSATION Enviro Vent 0845 2727807 DECKING Chetton Timber 01746 789340 or 07971 256792 DECORATING Williams Friendly Services 01952 244197 DOUBLE GLAZING Safeway 01743 620329 or 07713152932 DRAINS AA Drains 01952 455443 ELECTRICIANS Tony Sparks 01952 912219 APS Electrical (Simon) 07882 345098 ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTS. Tim Gough 07778 758568 FENCING D W fencing 0797 1282683 or 01952 505202 GARAGE DOORS Steve Barratt 01952 872552 CLASSIFIED ADS GAS SERVICE Keith Salter 07840464690 Gastec, 01952 246438 M.C. Services. 01952 248250 INSURANCE Alan Boswell Brokers 01603 216399 INVENTORIES Integris Property Solutions 01952 883561 JOINERY MANUFACTURERS Christian Roussel 01743 159934 KITCHENS Kitchen facelift Co.(Martin) 01694 722500 LAWN AND HEDGE CARE Danny 07706235099 MAINTENANCE David Smith 07968 486845 Jag of all trades (mobile) 07970 062970 PEST CONTROL David Watkins 01952 540920 07947750299 PLASTERING GS Plastering.07967496222 01952 503907 PLASTIC Plastic Centre 01952 299500 PLUMBERS David Battye 07882 478894 01952 279459 Brian Tarr 07971 279249 PLUMBING SUPPLIES PH Boiler Spares 01952 200446 M.R Bathrooms & Fires 01952 582002 ROOFING Dave Matthews 01952504596 mob 7415036230 WILL MAKING Ian Halstead 07515 358189 We ask for your recommended trades people to appear on this page. Please contact me on (bpm.lewis@btinternet.com) or 01952 727322. Likewise, to advertise within our pages and get coverage from the all our members you will find our rates the cheapest out there as follows: Whole page for a year 100 half a page for a year 50 and a quarter page for the year (four issues) 25. For an effective advert please contact Bernie 01952 727322 or bpm.lewis@btinternet.com 2 For Newsletter info 01952 727322 or bpm.lewis @ btinternet.com 2 19 19
REPORT A ROGUE Everyone deserves to live in a decent Home The majority of landlords within Telford and Wrekin provide safe and suitable housing for their tenants; however there are some landlords and letting agents who will deliberately ignore the law and avoid their legal responsibilities. Telford and Wrekin Council are committed to ensuring that all tenants in the Borough are living in safe and secure housing that is suitable for their needs, without fear of eviction or harassment from their landlord/letting agent. If you know of such an offender then please do not hesitate to report them by ringing the rogue landlord task force on: 01952 381818 or go to www.telford.gov.uk/rogue We need to clean up the reputation of our local Landlords and only by getting rid of the bad apples can we stop the rot from spreading. This is also bringing down the value of our properties and increasing local costs which affects all of us with properties in these areas. Remember we are not dobbing in fellow landlords we are weeding out those who should not be calling themselves landlords, they re not rogues, they re criminals. Save on your BTL insurance As we told you at your Autumn Conference; If you own multiple properties, there are benefits to buying the insurance all together as discounts can be applied that single properties do not attract. In purely practical terms, it also means you can bring renewal dates together. We have seen property portfolios of all different sizes and scales at Alan Boswell. What we need is a basic set of information for us to get a quote, which may be available with your insurance renewal document. Here s what is required for a portfolio quote: About each property: Full address inc postcode, Property type (terrace/detached etc) Year built, number of Bedrooms, Rebuild cost, Construction type Tenant type Working / benefits etc., Landlord contents Any claims, flooding or subsidence history? Many of our members have saved a lot of money by bringing the properties together on one renewal date and hope they will do the same for you, whilst saving you money and improve your cover at the same time. Current LHA Rates (Telford & Wrekin Area) Category Max. Weekly Max. Monthly Shared Accommodation 67.89 294.19 1 Bedroom 87.41 378.78 2 Bedroom 109.32 473.72 3 Bedroom 129.47 561.04 4 Bedroom 170.67 739.57 The above are the maximum L.H.A. rates for calculating Local Housing Allowance. The number of bedrooms is based on the tenants family make up and age, not the number of actual bedrooms in a property. For more information please visit the LHA pages at: www.telford.gov.uk/benefits or ring The Councils Customer Services on 01952 383838 18 Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. 18 Or click on www.telfordwrekinlandlords.org 3 3
HOMES BILL 2017-19. ( Fitness for Human Habitation ) The above bill has recently had its third and final reading in the House of Commons. It has also had it first reading in the House of Lords and is scheduled for its second reading on 23rd November 2018. The bill, should it be approved in its current form, will give tenants a meaningful route to improve conditions without relying on patchy local authority resources. Currently, private tenants have to rely on over stretched local authority Environmental Heath Teams (or employ an independent surveyor) to investigate and evidence poor conditions if they want to take their landlord to court. The bill revives a clause which already exists in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, requiring all rented homes to be Fit for Human Consumption at the start of the tenancy and to remain so throughout. The initial clause is defunct due to the application of antiquated rent levels. In deterring whether a house is unfit, the Bill incorporates the hazards enshrined in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and adds them to the 9 original fitness categories. This has modernised the Bill from the 1985, Version, and ensures that we avoid creating parallel enforcement standards in renting. The updated fitness standard includes issues not currently covered by a landlords legal repair responsibilities, such as damp. Caused by design defects (lack of ventilation) rather than disrepair, and infestation (rodents, insects bed bugs). The bill gives tenants a way to take elective action themselves if they rent a property in poor condition and the landlord fails to do the necessary maintenance. Currently tenants have no way to enforce property standards themselves. The Bill gives tenants the right to take their landlords to court where the property is not fit - they will be able to apply directly to the court for an injunction to compel a landlord to carry out works, or for damages ( compensation) for the landlords failure to keep the property in good repair. Some tenants will be able to apply directly to court using their own evidence, such as photos of severe mould or hazards. Since this article was written it has now moved into Law. We would like to hear your views on this, for feedback temporarily whilst the website undergoes changes please contact me on bpm.lewis@btinternet.com Telford company fined 43,000 A Letting company from Telford has been ordered to pay more than 43,000 in fines and costs of 11,462.07 over a string of defects at three of its private rented properties in Telford; defects that it did little or nothing to put right. Salop Lets Limited pleaded guilty to 24 offences under the Housing Act 2004. On the 10 th December the company appeared before Shropshire Magistrates sitting in Telford for sentencing on charges related to three licensed (HMOs) in Leegomery. Improvement Notices had been served, however the work was either done to a poor standard or not at all. Three times they failed to comply with the notices. Barrister Sarah Morgan said: Very little work was done during the operation of the improvement notices. They chose to house vulnerable tenants but failed to manage the risks associated with this. Since 2015 housing benefit totalling nearly 1.5million had been paid in respect of the properties managed by Salop Lets Ltd. Sentencing the company, District Judge Rebecca Crane said it had fallen far short of the housing standards expected ignoring concerns raised by Telford & Wrekin Council, adding that there was a risk of death or life changing injury from the company s failure. Cllr Richard Overton, said: The safety of residents is of paramount importance. That is why we are working hard to make sure that private rented housing is safe for tenants to live in. Earlier this year we set up the rogue landlord taskforce as part of our Better Homes For All package to improve housing in the private rented sector. This case highlights the vital work of this taskforce in keeping people safe. A spokesman for Wrekin Landlords said We have complained for long enough about poor standards of local housing, now we can see that something is being done about it. We should all be on our mettle and remain compliant. 4 STAY SAFE! STAY LEGAL! 4 STAY SAFE! STAY LEGAL! 17 17
Ringing Endorsement Accreditation Advice from members Elaine Bradburn and Helen Reynolds: We would urge other landlords to join the accreditation scheme as we have. We have gone through hell since May with tenants we still have not managed to evict, despite them now owing 5 months rent and damage repair costs instructed by police who forced entry, to say nothing of whatever damage we will find when we can eventually get into the property! This situation is due to the state of the courts and the fact that legislation protects tenants far more than it does landlords. However, if we had had to pay solicitors costs on top we could well have been in even more serious trouble.. as we all know that tenants like this are never going to pay outstanding rent monies and other costs, whether a court instructs them to pay or not. Fortunately, as we are accredited landlords TWC staff helped us every step of the way to get to court and gained a Possession Order without the help of expensive solicitors. (A local Solicitor wanted nearly 300+ vat just to open a file as they said they now have to do ID checks first!). Apart from our annual fee to WLA it is the best money we have ever spent. Alan Boswell We had a presentation from Paul Marshall of Alan Boswell Insurance at the October Conference. This was where I raised my concern that there was an unusually large increase in the Insurance costs of a London property in our portfolio. My thanks now go to Paul who contacted me the very next day and following correspondence we not only discussed products within their range which may be more suitable in the future for that property but also we confirmed our other policies with Alan Boswell and through that achieved a further reduction. Thank you again to Paul for a speedy response to my raised concern and to the Wrekin Landlords Association for enabling this. What more would you want? Another very satisfied customer, David Morgan. Thank you both, we always appreciate feedback or recommendations from our members, it does give us confidence in our suppliers. 16 16 Landlords Award Night February 7th Those of you who failed to get your nominations in on time have missed the chance for this year. However, the buzz and positive publicity that this award scheme has caused can only be good for our sector. It is the brainchild of the Telford and Wrekin Council, with input from the Wrekin landlords Association and is sponsored by the Wrekin Housing Trust, under the Better Homes For All Banner. It is designed to highlight the good Private Landlords, Tenants and Letting Agents who have gone the extra mile and deserve to be recognised! There are numerous Prizes to be won! The finalists will be shortlisted soon and if you have been nominated and successful the Council will be in touch shortly. The winners will be announced at the awards evening at Dawley Town Hall on 7th February 2019. We will keep you advised in this regard. We wish all nominees the very best of luck and thank you for setting an example to the Private Landlords, and Letting Agents in the Telford and Wrekin area. Start making lists and taking photographs for next years nominations. Find us on Facebook: Telfordandwrekinlandlordassociation 5 5
My Life in Property By Tony Sparks Hardman Up until the last Three years, I have spent most of my working life travelling the world as a service engineer, writing software for, installing and maintaining Radiation Monitoring Systems. Around 2005, there were lots of TV programs on buying a cheap house abroad (Spain, Bulgaria etc.) using it as a holiday home and making money renting it out, it seemed a good idea but we were nervous of making the commitment as we knew nothing about renting. By 2007 after further research we decided it might be better to buy somewhere closer to home, like Telford! We thought we knew where we didn t want to buy (but that was just our lack of knowledge). We went to several estate agents and one suggested an ideal rental property It s in Hadley He said. Hadley? Hadley? Mmm not so sure I thought in my ignorance? End of Terrace in Manor road, Oh but Empty Manor Heights eyesore is opposite. So What? It can only get better. I also heard they were going to spend a lot of money regenerating Hadley so, maybe it wasn t a bad idea after all. They have spent a lot of money and even built between us and Hadley centre! Finally Manor Heights is now being re-modelled The area can only go up. So 2007 when the market was crashing and papers full of scare stories Houses selling for 50% of their value, people at work were saying I wouldn t buy now I said This is Telford (Southerners couldn t believe it was possible to buy a brick shed for the price of 3 bed houses in Telford!) So, ignoring the naysayers, we bought our house. Surprisingly the Building Society said No problems here s the money. It needed some TLC. We got a builder to do the roof and a little bit of structural work. The rest we, family and friends, did ourselves, wet-rot, dry-rot, woodworm, rising damp, penetrating damp, electrics, plumbing, we even dry lined all the walls ourselves, (then got a plasterer in), refitted the kitchen and painted it throughout it was a steep learning curve. Six Months after we started our Tenant moved in. We had numerous recommendations like I am a Landlord I recommend you get Poles in (the people, not the Dancing equipment!). So we found our own Polish Tenants and never looked back. Over the following years we went to Auction and bought more houses Each of which we carried out a Family refurb. We only sold one after refurbing it and kept five. I can tell you all about those another time! From all this experience, our Sons set up their own business K & A Building and Landscaping Ltd find them on CheckATrade.com. 6 Energy Saving Advice Service 0300 123 1234 6 M R Bathrooms and Fires Cuckoo Oak Green, Madeley, TELFORD, TF7 4HT FULL Range of plumbing & heating products, Boilers, radiators etc. Copper tube, fittings (inc TDC plastic adaptors) tools, bathroom suites, showers, surrounds, taps, wastes etc. We also have a range of fires and fire surrounds available in our showroom. A member of Wrekin landlords Association Tel: 01952 582007 Meeting January 8th 7.00 p.m. TWO SPEAKERS : Tony Sparks Hardman addresses: Electricity in our lives and our homes." simple to understand.. Police Sergeant Louise A Hickman, Telford Serious Violence Strategy Project will cover Criminals in our midst See directions below: If approaching from the town centre follow the A442 (Brockton Way) towards Bridgnorth, exit quickly left toward Halesfield, at the bottom of that slip road go right around the island taking the 4th (last) exit onto a short stretch of the A4169 going back under Brockton Way. At the next island take the first left toward Sutton Hill as far as the lights and turn right into Queen Street. THE VENUE is situated half way down on the left after the shops. If approaching from Bridgnorth follow the A442 as far as the Brockton Roundabout, take the first exit toward Sutton Hill up the short dual carriageway in front of the JET petrol station, take the third exit on the island at the top, down Bridgnorth Road as far as the traffic lights and turn left into Queen Street THE VENUE is situated half way down on the left after the shops. We look forward to seeing you at 7.00 p.m. 15 15
Government moves the Energy posts The Government announced that more landlords of the draughtiest homes in England and Wales will be required to upgrade their properties after amendments to regulations requiring landlords to install energy efficiency measures has gone. Since the 1st April this year, new rules have been in place across England and Wales, setting out minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). These regulations made it unlawful for landlords to grant a new lease for properties that have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating below E, unless the property is registered as an exemption. Owners of the draughtiest homes those rated in the F and G energy bands, are required to upgrade them to band E or be barred from agreeing new tenancies. The Government previously proposed that landlords who faced costs exceeding 2,500 for putting in new insulation and other measures would be exempt from making the upgrades. However, they now say that it is lifting the cap to 3,500, meaning fewer owners would be exempt. Therefore next year properties with an EPC ratings of F or G, must be made warmer by landlords before they can be put on the rental market for new tenancies. The Government says this is expected to cost 1,200 per property, on average, saving households an average of 180 a year while reducing carbon emissions. Energy minister Claire Perry said: While the vast majority of landlords take great pride in the properties they own, a minority still rent out housing that is difficult to keep warm. Upgrading these homes so they are more energy efficient is one of the most effective ways to tackle fuel poverty and help bring down bills for their tenants, saving them 180 a year. Everyone should be protected against the cold in their own home and today s announcement will bring this reality closer. My life in property Continued Three years ago, I was made redundant and stopped travelling the world. I am now a NAPIT Registered Electrician and run my own Electrical and IT support business. This does mean that I have no problems ensuring the electrical systems of our properties are safe and up to standard. We manage our own properties, all tenanted by Working Polish Families. If you are looking for safe, reliable Tenants contact us we now have good links into the Polish Community and can even offer you a Translator! When we started, we were told Join Wrekin Landlords Association but did nothing about it! We did eventually join and found that there are many people in Telford just like us. I know we did things the hard way, finding things out for ourselves, it would have been better had we joined Wrekin Landlords earlier and spoken to people who had Been there and got the Tee-Shirt. If anybody in Wrekin Landlords Association wants any advice from our experience (or wants our professional talents ) or is looking for Polish Tenants please contact me. See the advert below: Rewires, Faults, Electrical Inspections, PAT tests, additional sockets, outside lights, burglar alarms, network cabling (IT) etc. Tony is a local Landlord, fellow member of the Wrekin Landlords Association and a British Gas Local Hero. Find him the Internet Search Tony Sparks 14 TENANT REFERENCING CHECK 07931311612 (Paul Spiers) 14 7 7
Did You Know Review of HHSRS on private rented homes. Housing Minister Heather Wheeler on rogue landlords renting out substandard homes to private tenants. The review will look at updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) rules for residential dwellings and tightening the law demanding landlords install carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes with gas appliances (not just with solid fuel heating). HHSRS rules are unchanged after their introduction 12 years ago. Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own home, said the minister. These reviews will allow us to revisit the current systems for health and safety ratings and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure that both are fit for purpose and meeting the needs of tenants. By looking again at these rules, we can make sure that they are working as they should to keep people safe and give them peace of mind in their homes. The review will consider introducing minimum health and safety standards in rented homes. While most landlords are responsible owners who take great pride in the properties they lease to their tenants, some private renters live in sub-standard homes with problems such as inadequate heating and damp, said a housing ministry spokesman. The minister will also consider if carbon monoxide safety rules should extend to other types of heating and social housing. HHSRS is a rating system applied by councils and fire services to identify potential health and safety risks to tenants living in private rented homes. The rules were introduced by the 2004 Housing Act. The move follows a recent report commissioned by the Nationwide Foundation and conducted by Dr Julie Rugg of York University and David Rhodes of the Centre for Housing, as we referred to in our Autumn Newsletter, for buy to let homes to have a regular health and safety check like an MoT inspection for cars. Section 21 changes. I am sure you are all aware the Deregulation Act 2015 made substantial changes to the operation of section 21 notices in Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England. There was a grace period up to October 1st 2018 after which you should be aware when issuing Section 21 s that you are doing it correctly. You should be using the New form of notice (Form 6A) and adhering to all statutory obligations.. Please check it out. How to rent guide The above booklet has changed yet again. Please be aware that if you have any that were printed off before July 2018 they have now been updated and cannot be used to be given to new tenants when moving in. Dynorod Landlords line Freefone number for landlords who need the services of Dynorod.0800 1077798 8 Join our LinkedIn group: www.linkedin.com/groups/8300813 8 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE 1st January PLEASE SEND IN YOUR TWENTY POUNDS NOW! To: WREKIN LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION, CORNERHOUSE, 57, High Street, MADELEY, TELFORD, TF7 5AT As usual keep the top part as a receipt. Many thanks! OR You may pay by direct banking into the: Wrekin Landlords Association RBS Bank account : Account number & sort code on enclosed/attached form. Use your membership number and or name as a reference Remember it is only 20 again this year. We thank you for your prompt payment! OR Bring it along to the New Year meeting on: TUESDAY January 8TH 2019 7.00 till 9.00 p.m. At The Venue Queen Street, Hills Lane, Madeley, Telford, TF7 4LA see page 15 for directions All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you at 7.00 p.m. 13 13
16th WLA ANNUAL DINNER DON T MISS IT. FRIDAY MAY 17th 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 THE PARK INN (Radisson), FORGEGATE, TELFORD www.parkinn.co.uk/hotel-telford One person goes FREE in each paid up membership, an additional Guest/Partner pays only 20.00 Choice of 3 course menus, (choices upon application). This year we have secured the award winning function band HIPSTER. Demand will be high, BOOK EARLY to secure your place Ring Pat NOW on 01952 727322 KEW ACCOUNTANTS AND TAX SPECIALISTS Suite 1 & 6, Business Development Centre, Stafford Park 4, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 3BA Telephone: 01952 216872 We offer a friendly and approachable accountancy service to personal and business customers. Explaining things in plain English, without jargon, so that you fully understand what we do for you. Tax advice (Are you sure you are claiming for everything?) Keep more of your income perfectly legally with tax planning. Tax compliance Nobody likes a nasty surprise, especially tax liabilities surprise. We can help make sure you have plenty of notice of tax to pay. Business Planning Putting you in control of forecasts and making your business work for you. We can help with Cash flow Forecasts and what if scenarios. Annual Accounts Preparation For most businesses, failing to submit your annual accounts to a strict deadline can lead to fines and upset your credit rating. We can help. Raising Finance If you need money to grow, having a well thought out plan and forecast is going to help enormously. We can work with you to jump through the hoops of a lending proposal. Buying and Selling a Business Planning your exit from your business or buying someone else's is a critical time in your life. Let us give you the help you need to make the right decisions based on fact. Much more besides, contact us today, protect your investment. Karen Whitehead FCCA, CTA on: 01952 216872 or email info@kewaccountants.co.uk Website http://www.kewaccountants.co.uk 12 Take a look at the band https://www.hipsteronline.co.uk/ 12 Kew Accountants sponsored our Autumn Conference 9 9
Members say: Hi Bernie, Have been trying to contact you on the Chairman email, is there a problem. Tony. Hi Tony Yes, Sorry about that there is a temporary glitch with that email address for the time being refer to bpm.lewis@btinternet.com. Thanks Bernie Hi Bernie, I just wanted to personally say thank you for all the hard work you put into organising the conference. I thought it was a great evening. Very informative with a good mix of speakers who had the right amount of time to speak. Thanks for making it happen. Regards Ian Lawson. Dear Bernie I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you for a very well-organised conference. I didn t get chance to feed that back to you on the night. Jackie Dear Ian and Jackie I agree it was an excellent Conference and I have thanked all the speakers on behalf of our membership. Thank you for your kind comments. Regards Bernie Dear Bernie Great news about the Landlord Awards night, good luck to all those nominated. Ed. Dear Ed Exactly, I couldn t agree more, it s a very positive step for the Council to recognise the good work that the majority of landlords do. I ll keep you all posted. Bernie Recommendations I desperately needed a roofer. One of the members recommended David Mathews and said he was reliable and reasonable. I took her at her word and sure enough he turned up on time, explained it in detail, with photos and gave us a very reasonable quote.then went out two days later, over the weekend to accommodate the working tenant and sent a photo of the completed job. Excellent service, for this reason I have added him on page 19 to the recommended trades people. If you have similar experiences we need to know about them.. Please use these people, regards Bernie. We have been advising people for ages the importance of making a making a Will and yet still we hear of people passing away and leaving their loved ones with problems because they haven t organised their estate properly. Being aware of this situation we recently took steps to put our affairs in order. We used the services of former Solicitor Ian Halstead (see page 19) and he helped us through the quite complicated process with ease and professionalism to make it easy and efficient to achieve a hassle free solution to any future scenario. I really recommend him. LAUGH IT OFF Sound Logic. Today Teacher asked How do we know that light travels faster than sound? Rebecca Because, some people look bright until they open their mouth. That ll do fine. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. Income Tax is a fine for doing well. Things Tenants say. (Straight up) My Landlord came round with an erection and wired in my new cooker. (I hope she meant an electrician!) Granddad the Lionheart. My Granddad: has the heart of a lion and a lifetime ban from the Safari Park. Definition. A flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries. I remember when: Eating raw fish was called poverty, not Sushi. 10 10 11 11