Having seen a graphic produced by Susie Crolla (LPC  & LLM at The University of Law) I am really hoping that even if the Renters Rights Bill gets Royal Assent in the Autumn it will not come into force until late in 2026 as everyone across the industry including central and local government has so much work to do getting ready.

I had a call from a tenant, he was on benefits and someone had tried to convince him to sign up for a heat pump and solar panels on the basis that it would cost him and his landlord nothing. What could go wrong?  

  We were contacted by Sam this month  who was looking for accommodation – he had been served a Section 21 and told he probably would not get his deposit back as he had no paperwork to say where it had been lodged and his landlords managing agent was no more. He had also contacted PCC and been placed on their emergency housing waiting list.

I shared last month's PDPLA Newsletter with a friend, he is a retired principal lecturer and research supervisor specialising in leadership, management and international human resource management at the University so at least from an academic perspective, he knows about business. His response was interesting and contrasts well with a conversation an associate had with a (probable) rogue landlord this month.

I do try to be civil and fair and balanced. After all, this is a customer facing role  but this month, sorry - I just need to get this off my chest... 

Some types of extension lead used in a fairly ordinary way can pose a fire risk, others will be safe even if used rather carelessly. It's worth knowing the difference so you can advise tenants and/or be confident in the safety of furnishings you provide.  

The topic for this month's blog was easy – and for those who attended our August meeting familiar – as these are the tales from PDPLA members of 'emotional support' animals, a solution for ASB and observations on how increasing regulation forces us to have less respect for our tenants  

Having recently stopped managing HMOs – I can only say I timed it well, given the war stories I have heard this month from associates in the area... 

All I can say is that I am glad I manage very few HMOs having had occasion to watch one of this months planning meetings online. 

Many of my landlords worry about whether they meet the ever changing fire regulations so I thought this month I'd drop a few thoughts of guidance in the area. 

I have had several landlords asking about the PCC HMO Licence Conditions which will force them to share details such as credit referencing information which does not seem to be an appropriate thing to ask for and may breach the landlords GDPR obligations.  If it helps, some comments from the ICO and my thoughts on what I do when the police ask for similar information.