We face a “Brave New World”. It may sound like a movie title but I refer to the world of lettings that we work in.
Earlier in the year I attended the ARLA Propertymark conference and exhibition at the Excel Centre in London. The main theme of the day was the major upheaval our industry is facing with the ever changing legislation that is planned for the coming months. In the twenty something years I have run the lettings for Barbers, I can honestly say I have never seen so much attention heaped onto the world of lettings and frankly it’s about time!!!
The Conference was attended by 1,200 ARLA Propertymark members and a number of key note speakers. Heather Wheeler MP, the undersecretary of state and minister for housing discussed the proposed regulation of the letting industry, in a hugely positive move and one I fully support, the government will introduce a single independent regulator for people letting and managing property. There will be a simple mandatory code of practice that all agents will have to adhere to; staff will need to be qualified and to keep their knowledge fresh they will be expected to maintain a continued professional development record. Without wanting to “pull up the ladder” on our competitors this is all something we do at Barbers to fulfil our obligation as members of ARLA Propertymark. Currently an individual doesn’t have to have any qualification to work in the industry and anyone can say they are a letting agent which currently paves the way for all sorts to set up as such. Only ARLA Propertymark agents can offer true protection and peace of mind for landlords and tenants, we are required to operate in a transparent way, providing services which are subject to independent scrutiny. If an agent falls below ARLA’s standards they will be subject to disciplinary action. The Government have finally stepped up to the plate in looking to drive out the nefarious characters from our industry.
The Government are also looking to review the legislation surrounding carbon monoxide alarms, currently only properties with open fires, solid fuel stoves and bio mass boilers have to have them, my view is that it would be far simpler to have a blanket requirement for all rented properties to have these alarms so we all know where we stand. Mandatory electrical safety checks will also become law at some time in the future. If you would like any further information about any of this or other changes that may affect you and your property email me at r.heath@barbers-online.co,uk
Locally we continue to let houses at a rate of knots with demand for all shapes and sizes, in recent weeks we have seen a four thousand square feet, six bedroom house in Tibberton let for £1,500 p.c.m, a three thousand square feet, five bedroom house in Moreton let for £1,300 p.c.m, a three bedroom character cottage in Tibberton let for £750 p.c.m, a three bedroom town house let on The Smithfields in Newport for £650 p.c.m and various other flats and houses at rents upwards of £600 p.c.m.
If you do have a vacant property we have tenants waiting and would be only too pleased to help. Go to our 'Contact' page to find your nearest local office.
Richard Heath FARLA, FNAEA, CRLM.
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