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Welcome to the first edition of this new Private Landlords Quarterly Newsletter.
We have decided to produce this newsletter on a quarterly basis to keep landlords and owners of empty homes informed about a variety of topics including: the services we provide, new legislative changes, local initiative and policies and practices relating to private sector housing.
Our goal is to provide timely updates and to make landlords and the owner of empty homes aware of the support and assistance that the council can offer to ensure compliance with legal obligations. We believe that this approach is the most effective way to engage with landlords, fostering collaboration to deliver safe, secure, and affordable housing to the people of Doncaster.
We would appreciate your feedback and welcome your suggestions for new ideas or topics to be included in future editions. To provide feedback and share your thoughts, please contact us by email: LandlordHelpAndAdvice@doncaster.gov.uk.
Register your details to subscribe to the free newsletter by clicking on the link below or by clicking on the QR code.
Service update: Landlord Liaison, Help and Advice for owners of empty homes
The City of Doncaster Council’s Strategic Housing Service has expanded its team by recruiting two Housing Programme Managers, dedicated to providing strategic lead in building relationships and services for the Private Sector Housing. Both Housing Programme Managers bring a wealth of experience of working in both social and private sector housing. Their areas of responsibility include providing a landlord liaison service, improving condition of the private rented sector and assisting owners of empty homes to bring them back into use.
The private rented sector in Doncaster has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, now comprising approximately 18% of the housing stock, which equates to roughly 25,000 properties. We recognise and appreciate the pivotal role that Private Rented Sector plays in providing housing solutions. We understand the challenges and responsibilities that come with being a private landlord and we are committed to offering assistance and tools necessary for landlords to effectively manage their rental properties whilst adhering to all regulatory requirements.
We offer a range of service that include advice, guidance and information resources pertaining to a wide range of issues, including:
- Pre-Tenancy checks
- Renting out properties and minimum standards
- Tenancy Agreement and Deposit Protection
- Landlords responsibilities and legal compliance
- Tenancy management
- Safety measures
- Energy efficiency measures
- Empty properties and void management
- New legislative updates
To learn more about our Landlord Liaison and Empty Homes Services, please contact us through our Single Point of Contact email address at LandlordHelpAndAdvice@doncaster.gov.uk
Empty Properties
We would like to hear from all Empty Property Owners, whether that be a newly acquired property, an inherited property or a property owned by a Private Landlord that is currently untenanted. We are here to offer help and advice to get your property into use and would appreciate if you could complete the short survey below or access the QR code.
Legislative update – Renters Reform Bill 2023
The Renters Reform Bill sets out the government plans to make major reforms in private sector housing, particularly relating to the structure of tenancies, eviction rights and landlord obligations. The Bill was introduced to the Parliament on 17 May 2023 and is currently making it’s way through parliamentary approval process. The second reading took place on 23 October 2023, and is now at the Committee stage. The Bill proposes a number of reforms as below.
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Abolition of Section 21 ‘No Fault’ Eviction: The proposal to put a ban on ‘no fault’ eviction by abolishing Section 21, which is considered to be the centrepiece of the proposed Bill, has been delayed pending improvements to the Court System. The proposed reform seeks to streamline the private sector tenancy structure by moving all fixed term tenancies to a unified single system of periodic tenancies.
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Introduction of comprehensive possession grounds: The Bill proposes to introduce more comprehensive possession grounds and strengthen Section 8 so landlords can still recover their property. This includes situations where landlords intend to sell their property or accommodate close family members.
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Introduction of new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman: The Bill proposes to introduce a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman that landlords are legally required to join. The Ombudsman is intended to provide fair, impartial and binding resolutions, facilitating the swift and cost-effective resolution of many disputes between tenants and landlords without having to go through the court system.
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Introduction of a new digital Property Portal: The Bill seeks to create a digital database for the private rented sector. Landlords will be required to sign up and register all properties they rent out. It is aimed at helping landlords understand and demonstrate their legal compliance, make information available to tenants to make informed decisions, and assist local authorities to take enforcement action against the landlords who fail to meet their legal obligations.
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Providing stronger protection against backdoor eviction by reforming the rent increase mechanism: The Bill aims to enhance protection against backdoor eviction by reforming the rent increase mechanism. It proposes a consolidated mechanism, replacing the existing section 13 process under the Housing Act 1988. Landlords will be allowed to increase rents only once per year, provided they give a minimum notice of two months.
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Tenants’ right to request consent to have pets in the property: The Bill aims to stop blanket bans on pets, giving tenants right to request consent to have pets, which the landlord must consider and not unreasonably refuse.
Upcoming events/activities/information:
We believe that an informed landlord is an empowered landlord. To empower and equip them with the knowledge and skills to successfully navigate the complexities of property management, we also coordinate and organize a diverse array of educational and networking programs, such as educational sessions, training events, webinars, landlord forums, and informal drop-in sessions. Please stay connected with us to find out more.
Useful Contacts:
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