When lockdown started, we cancelled meetings and sat at home waiting for a couple of months and then, in May of last year we thought we would try holding one of our meetings using Zoom. Since then, we have been amazed at attendance – often with more attendees than we had at our in-person meetings. Some members have already asked that we continue with Zoom meetings even when we start to meet in person again, hopefully later this year.

Whether we do or not, there is definitely a benefit from being able to watch the recording later, whether you attended or not and that is something we hope to continue. Last month we had 2 excellent speakers (see the recording here), our own Alwin Oliver updating us on Mediation and also, Nick Watchorn from LNPG.

Portsmouth and District Private Landlords Association have commissioned the expert, Bill Irvine, to help you understand the Universal Credit claim process and how best to make & maintain a claim, avoid delays, suspensions, cancelations, related payment issues and disputes that can lead to debt quickly accruing. This is a 3 hour Zoom training course on the afternoon of Thursday, May 13^th. Attendees are limited to 10 per session as Bill wants to ensure that everyone gets what they need from the course and have their questions answered 

As there are so many useful tips elsewhere in this newsletter, we thought we would end with some humour instead this month:  I was walking past the rent office yesterday, when a woman came running out out screaming and wailing, she had a £20 note rolled up and stuck in her left ear and a £10 note rolled up and stuck in her right ear, I asked her friend what was wrong with her, she said she's upset because she's £30 in arrears

If you don't want anymore 'humour' like this, do please send us some tips for future newsletters... :-)