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PDPLA Newsletter - February Issue

Here is this month's news from the Portsmouth & District Private Landlords Association ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

‍Portsmouth and District
Private Landlords Association

February Newsletter

Lots of news this month plus we have scheduled more PAT equipment and usage training (see below if interested) and note that we have a pro forma letter for members to use if tenants are told to sit tight and wait for the bailiffs when a Section 21 has been correctly served, find it here.

And do not forget, if you cannot make it to one of our meetings, we always record, edit and load them onto our website 4-5 days after the event – you may find the edited version more informative than attending in person, Allan Wadsworth adds so much extra after he has filmed it. Having said that, he is away for the next 2 months so if you can, attend in person until his return.



‍IN THIS NEWSLETTER


UPCOMING EVENTS

Monthly Meeting - Landlord Accounts / Fire Risk Update

Mon 10 Feb '25 : 19:30

This month we are hoping to have an accountant Q&A plus an update on fire risks and what you need to do to reduce them from Alice. Do join us in person or on Zoom if you can.


Landlords Breakfast - Southsea

Wed 12 Feb '25 : 09:00

Join us at our monthly Landlords Breakfast this month in The Clubhouse, Southsea. Everyone welcome.


NEWS ITEMS

Official: HMOs Safer Than Council Houses

Portsmouth City Council have been admonished by the Social Housing Regulator for 'serious failings' after admitting over 1,000 outstanding fire safety remedial actions and not having current EICRs on over 85% of them (that is about 13,260 homes).


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Rent-2-Rent Operator Gets His Comeuppance

We reported the case of the landlord who let his property to a Rent-2-Rent operator (R2RO) on a contract that assigned all management responsibility to the R2RO, where the landlord was fined £7,500 by PCC when the R2RO was found to have overcrowded the property.See it here.

The good news is that PCC then went after the R2RO who was found guilty in court of multiple misdemeanours and sentenced accordingly. 


Read more

Making Tax Digital Update

After our discussions about 'Making Tax Digital' at the November and January member meetings, we have some comments on what it means for us all from accountant, Sam Stapleton of SJS Advisory who was with us last month. 


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HMO Planning - Who Needs It?

In a bizarre decision at the January Planning Committee, Councillors may have bulldozed their own regulations and opened the way for HMO developments without the need for planning approval.

Carianne Wells of Applecore commented, "Anyone looking to increase their existing C4 HMO by 1 or 2 persons into Sui Generis use, has traditionally applied to the LPA (Local Planning Authority) for permission, at that point all the room size standards etc are assessed against policy. After yesterday it seems that both planning officers and committee members are in agreement for the first time that the increase is not a material change, and does not require planning." 


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Navigating the Challenges and Benefits of Leasing to Councils and Social Landlords

 Leasing properties to councils, Serco, or other social housing providers is becoming an increasingly attractive option for landlords. These arrangements offer the promise of long-term contracts, guaranteed rental income, and reduced vacancy risks. However, landlords must approach such agreements with a clear understanding of the opportunities and risks involved, particularly regarding contracts, tenant obligations, and financing.


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iHowz view of the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill

 iHowz Landlord Association submit this paper with their views on the proposed Renters Right Bill


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Landlord Tip of the Month - February 2025

David Smith wrote last week, "Demonstrating again that they are determined to move this on fast, the Renters' Rights Bill got its first reading in the House of Lords yesterday, just a day after finishing in the House of Commons. Second reading in the Lords, which marks the start of actual debate in the Lords is set for 4 February. I have previously said that this could be done by the end of March and that timeline seems to be right on current performance!"


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In Other News - February 2025

  • PCC Council Tax Page Updated 
  • Fire Zone Plans - what is needed?
  • Getting tougher for letting agents

Read more

THE ANONYMOUS AGENT

Recent 'Rogue Landlord Prosecutions'

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... 


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ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS



‍‍Preparing for 2050 – Carbon Neutral Homes‍

Urban Retrofit A Necessity

Hypothesis: We need to make cities denser if we are to meet green targets 


Read more

Victorian Terrace Retrofit

Obviously every house is different, but this one cost £23,000 to retrofit including solar,  batteries and heat pump, it reduced energy usage by 75% and added £90,000 to the property value even though the rooms were smaller - don't believe me, have a look.... 


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CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

New PAT training / refresher scheduled

Any members (or friends) who want to be trained on the PDPLA 'Quick test' equipment to enable them to do their own PAT testing can do so after attending / passing this course.  It is on 26th March 2025 and registration is required.  Book here 


Read more

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Registered in England at 214 Chichester Road, Portsmouth PO2 0AX

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