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Winter 2014
On 14 May 2014 the
Immigration Bill received
Royal Assent, in doing so it
became the Immigration
Act 2014.
The Immigration Act 2014
introduced a requirement for
landlords of private rented
accommodation to conduct
checks to establish that new
tenants have the right to rent in
the UK. If an agent is
managing a property and
sourcing tenants for a landlord,
it may be assumed by a
landlord that such checks will
form part of the agent’s duties.
Landlords or agents will be
required to make simple checks
on the immigration status of
their tenants, these will include:-
• Asking prospective tenants
to produce identification
from a checklist of specified
documents.
• Checking the documentary
evidence and retain copies
of the documents as
evidence that the check has
been carried out.
• Not leasing a property to a
tenant who cannot produce
satisfactory evidence of their
rights to reside in the UK.
These checks will only apply to
new tenancy agreements.
Existing tenancy agreements
are unaffected and landlords
will not be required to carry out
retrospective checks. The
requirements apply to all adults
(aged 18 and over) living within
the property.
Landlords or agents may be
fined up to £3,000 per tenant if
they are found to have rented to
an illegal migrant without
carrying out the necessary
checks.
There are a number of
exemptions from these new
requirements:-
• Any accommodation
provided by a local authority
where they are under a
statutory duty to do so
(including where the tenant
is placed into the private
rented sector).
• Accommodation provided by
an employer for an
employee.
• Hostels and refuges.
• Hall of residence for
students or where a higher
educational institute has
nominated a student for
accommodation.
The Government has agreed to
a staged roll out of the
requirements and the first
phase will be implemented in
Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell,
Walsall and Wolverhampton
(but will not apply to Solihull or
Coventry) to allow an evaluation
to be made before a national
roll-out. The first phase of the
provision will come into force
from 1st December 2014.
It is anticipated that the
requirements may apply more
widely from 2015.
Guidance is available to help
landlords, agents and tenants to
understand how these
measures apply to them and
which explain how to carry out
the checks is available at
www.gov.uk/government/
publications/right-to-rent-
landlords-code-of-practice
or via a telephone helpline
0300 069 9799.
A case checking service is also
available for status verification
where the prospective tenant
has an outstanding immigration
application with the Home
Office or the Home Office has
their documents, by completing
a form online or by telephone.
This service will provide a clear
yes or no answer within two
working days.
The Immigration BillDASH Landlord
Accreditation
Green
Deal
Sprinklers
Smoke
Detection
Mould and
Condensation
Handy
Van
p2
Contents:
p2
p4
p5
p6
Private Sector
Landlords
www.erewash.gov.uk
p7
Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 1
Accreditation is a set of standards (or code) relating tothe management and conditionof privately rented accommodation.
DASH Landlord Accreditation Scheme
The vast majority of landlordsdo a fantastic job in providingquality accommodation for theirtenants. DASH Landlord Accreditation scheme allowsthem to be publically recognised for being good.
DASH Landlord Accreditationis a scheme which recognisesand acknowledges private sector landlords with good standards in the condition andmanagement of their propertiesand their relationship with their tenants.
The scheme has been successfully operating since2008 and is open to all landlords in the East Midlandswho own and manage let property.
On completion, the landlord willbe awarded the scheme’s quality mark of ‘DASH Accredited Landlord’ and theirname will be added to the public register.
Accreditation is akey way that landlords canstand out as
professionals
The scheme aims to help landlords maintain the skillsand knowledge needed tomanage their lettings professionally. DASH offers landlords -
Tr aining sessions
Help with tenant difficulties
Continual professionaldevelopment opportunities
Newsletters
Landlord Roadshows
Consultation and research.
Membership to DASH Landlord Accreditation is free,and lasts for 3-years.
How to achieve accredited status
To achieve accredited status, a landlord must complete / agree the following:
Agree and comply with our code of conduct including being a “fit and proper person”.
Complete the Landlord Development Course and keep up to date with changes in legislation and guidance through continuous professional development.
Have a health and safety check on a sample of your properties to make sure they meet the scheme standards.
Linda Cobb, DASH Manager says...
“Accreditation offers the private rented sector ameans of ‘self regulation’that is to say DASH Landlord Accreditation is notan enforcement body.
“Our success comes fromworking in partnership with arange of partners, to help improve housing standards.
“Accredited Landlordsshould be personally rewarded for their hard workand commitment to good standards”.
www.dashservices.org.uk01332 641111
www.erewash.gov.uk
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
2
It is estimatedthat anywhere between 20 -50,000 landlordshave joined an accreditationscheme across the UK.
Erewash Borough Council
will be holding its 6th
annual conference for
Private Sector Landlords.
The council would like to invite
you to this year’s conference
which will be a valuable
opportunity to be updated on a
range of current topics that
may benefit you as a landlord.
It is anticipated that the
conference will be held during
November/December 2014.
The conference is free to
attend and is aimed at
enhancing the knowledge of
landlords, letting agents and all
those involved in the private
rented sector.
We will be contacting you with
further details in due course,
but in mean time if you would
like to register your interest in
attending the conference
please contact the
Housing Renewal Team
0115 931 6060 or
ehgrants@erewash.gov.uk
Landlords Conference 2014
Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 2
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
www.erewash.gov.uk 3
Energy EfficiencyOn the 1st May 2014 the
government launched the
Green Deal Home
Improvement Fund
(GDHIF), making £120
million available. The
scheme offered cashback
vouchers to households in
return for the installation
of energy efficiency
measures. For the first
time solid wall insulation
qualified for significant
financial assistance.
The GDHIF was expected by
the Department of Energy and
Climate Change (DECC) to
last 12 months.
The scheme required
households to have a Green
Deal Assessment done to
identify which energy efficiency
measures could be installed.
The cost of the assessment
could be claimed back via the
GDHIF when the cashback
voucher to install measures
was registered.
On the 22nd July DECC cut
the maximum payment
available after £50 million of
the £120 million budget had
been taken. The warning
sparked a rush to apply and
the remaining £70 million was
taken up in just three days,
leading DECC to halt the
scheme with immediate effect
at 6.30pm on Thursday
24th July.
The lesson to be learned from
this is the importance of having
a Green Deal Assessment in
place. It is almost certain that
any new financial initiatives
offered by DECC will require a
Green Deal Assessment and
having one will allow a swift
response to any new schemes,
thereby increasing the chance
of receiving funds. Hopefully,
as with the GDHIF, the cost of
an existing Green Deal
Assessment will be able to be
claimed for within any new
scheme.
With landlords coming under
pressure from the government
to improve the energy
efficiency of their properties,
being ‘ready to go’ as and
when new schemes become
available would seem to be the
way forward.
Energy Performance
Certificates (EPC)
From 2018 Landlords
should ensure their
privately rented properties
meet a minimum energy
efficiency standard (likely
to be set at EPC rating ‘E’ )
or that they have installed
the maximum of packages
of measures under the
Green Deal.
For further help or advice visit
www.gov.uk/greendealor contact:
Kay Kent
Home Energy
Efficiency Officer
Erewash Borough Council
T: 0115 931 6061 or
kay.kent@erewash.gov.uk
Futures Homescape, a local
housing provider, are keen to
lease and manage more
properties on behalf of private
property owners, following
successful schemes in
Erewash and Amber Valley.
Properties can be blocks of
apartments or houses; or
individual properties. They may
be new- build; conversions (for
example from offices) or
existing residential units.
Futures lease and manage
tenancies, for up to five years
as part of its innovative and
growing private sector leasing
scheme. The properties are
offered at market rent with
Futures Homescape taking a
percentage of the rental
income over the five-year
period to manage the
tenancies.
Futures have many years’
experience of managing and
leasing properties in Erewash
and Amber Valley - both for
affordable housing, and more
recently with properties for
market rent. They have
delivered a number of
schemes in partnership with
Erewash Borough Council.
A recently completed local
development for market rent
has been very successful for
Futures; the landlord and for
local people needing good
quality, well managed homes.
Paul Whittingham, Head of
Housing at Futures
Homescape, said: “Our
reputation of managing
tenancies and our guarantee of
rental income means we can
offer something credible,
secure and economically
viable to private landlords to
provide homes across the
area.”
A landlord who owns
properties across the area,
said: “From my point of view it
is the perfect match. Futures
Homescape had an offer which
really worked for me and in the
process has created new
homes for people in the area
who need them.
“The fact I get less rental
income because Futures takes
a percentage to manage the
properties is actually made up
by the fact I get guaranteed
income over the five years and
I don’t have any of the
administration costs
associated with running the
development.
“The security of having a
housing provider behind the
project made it possible in
terms of getting the loan to
fund the development and
being able to forecast
long-term income.
“I’ve worked with Futures
Homescape on a number of
schemes in the area and look
forward to continuing to do so.”
Futures would like to hear from
landlords with properties or
potential developments in
Erewash and/or Amber Valley.
For more information on the
scheme, contact Emma
Lindley, Private Sector
Coordinator, Futures
Homescape at
emma.lindley@
futureshomescape.co.uk
Tel: 01773 573195
GreenDeal
Futures Homescape Leasing & ManagementScheme for Private Landlords
Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 3
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
www.erewash.gov.uk 5www.erewash.gov.uk
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
4
Sprinklers Derbyshire Fire & Rescue
Authority plays a key
leadership role in promoting
a better understanding of the
benefits of sprinklers as part
of a core commitment to
reducing the impact of fire
on people, property and the
environment in Derbyshire.
There is clear evidence that
sprinklers can be effective in
stopping fires spreading,
significantly enhancing fire
safety within the home and
drastically reducing death and
series injury as a result of fire.
Smoke detectors are a
excellent alert system and
warn you there is a fire, but a
sprinkler system will extinguish
the fire, protecting the
occupants and prevent further
fire damage that can leave a
property inhabitable.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue
Service are attending more
and more house fires where
smoke alarms are not working
or simply not fitted.
Sprinklers have been
successfully used for
protection of property such as
factories, department stores
and shopping centres for well
over 130 years and there is
now a growing appreciation of
their potential to save lives in
domestic properties where the
majority of deaths from fire
occur.
Sprinklers can:
• Reduce death and injury
from fire.
• Reduce the risks to
firefighters.
• Protect property and
heritage.
• Reduce the effects of
arson.
• Reduce the environmental
impact of fire.
• Reduce fire costs and the
disruption to the community
and business.
• Permit design freedoms
and encourage innovative,
inclusive and sustainable
architecture.
Domestic Premises
Fire in the home still accounts
for the greatest number of fire
deaths and injuries each year.
While it would be ideal for all
domestic premises to have
sprinklers, it is recognised that
this is not practical or realistic.
We advocate the fitting of
sprinklers in the homes of
people most at risk from fire -
younger people, older people,
people with mental health
problems and those who have
mobility problems. Derbyshire
Fire & Rescue Service work in
partnership with developers,
the residents of Derbyshire and
social housing landlords to
encourage the installation of
sprinklers in the homes of most
vulnerable people.
Design Freedoms
Sprinklers can allow much
more interesting use of space.
New building codes work on a
performance-based approach
to the safety of a building, so
by including sprinklers,
designers can achieve greater
freedom to fulfil their overall
vision. They can include
features such as:
• Larger compartment sizes.
• More open spatial designs.
• Reducing exit door widths.
• Reducing periods of fire
resistance to elements of
structure.
• Reducing constraints such
as distance between
buildings.
For more information please
contact Derbyshire Fire and
Rescue Service on
0115 932 6832
or visit their website
www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/
campaigns/think-sprinkler/
The timeline below illustrates the progression of a fire in a building both with and without a
sprinkler system.
According to the Fire
Statistics for Great Britain
between April 2012 to
March 2013 only 12 per
cent of dwellings within
England were reported to
not having working smoke
alarms and more than one
third of fires occurred
within dwellings in Great
Britain had no smoke
alarm installed.
Although there is no legal
requirement under the
Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005 for Housing
Associations and Private
Landlords to install smoke
alarm systems, they do
however have a “Duty of Care”
to their tenants to fit this
standard.
Local Authorities have
enforcement powers under the
Housing Act 2004 Part 1 to
enforce the installation of fire
detection where there is no
adequate provision of smoke
detectors within the property.
Which type of detection
should be used?
BS 5839-6:2013 is the main
standard for design,
installation, testing and
maintenance of domestic fire
alarm systems and Building
Regulations refer to this
standard.
There are many and varied
types of fire alarm systems and
you should seek advice from a
competent electrician prior to
fitting a system to your
property. Traditionally there
are three types of sensor
technology that have been
used in domestic smoke
detectors.
Optical smoke alarms are
typically more effective at
detecting slow burning
fires, which can smoulder
for hours before bursting
into flames.
Ionisation smoke alarms
are generally more effective
at detecting fast, flaming
fires which consume
combustible materials
rapidly and spread fire
quickly.
Heat alarms are triggered
when room temperature
reaches a set point . These
alarms are generally used
in locations where other
alarm types are not
suitable, such as kitchens.
The diagram below shows
what type of detector should be
fitted in which area of the
property.
Wireless Alarm Systems
Many rental properties would
be suitable for the fitting of a
wireless alarm system, these
are usually wired into the
existing lighting main to
provide power but they also
have a battery standby. In
existing properties this is a
great advantage as they can
be fitted quickly and easily
without the need for a
separate circuit.
Each smoke alarm
communicates with others by
continuously sending and
receiving wireless signals
creating a 'meshed network.'
The systems can usually be
expanded and can be linked to
a panel.
For more information please
contact Derbyshire Fire and
Rescue Service on
0115 932 6832
or visit their website
www.derbys-fire.gov.uk
Home fire
safety checksOur Home Fire Safety Checks
take around half an hour to
complete and entail a brief
walk around the house to
identify obvious hazards, a
guided lesson on fire safety in
the home using the national
Fire Kills booklet as a prompt,
and we also fit smoke alarms
for eligible persons which are
free of charge.
If we feel a household is at an
elevated risk of fire we may
wish to revisit on a regular
basis to provide interventions
and reduce or eliminate the
identified fire risks. Community
Fire Safety Officers are also
trained to provide basic health
information and can sign-post
persons with additional
concerns on to relevant
agencies. Any person wishing
to enquire about a free home
fire safety check should ring
0115 932 6832 and speak to
the Fire Service Admin Team.
More information can be
found at:
www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/
keeping-safe/home-fire-
safety-check
Smoke Detection
Living Room
Kitchen
BedroomBathroomOptical
Ionisation
Heat
Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 4
What is condensation?
Condensation is caused whenmoisture held in warm airmeets a cold surface like a window or wall and condensesinto water droplets. If this happens regularly then mouldmay start to grow. It will appear on cold surfaces and inplaces where there is littlemovement of air.
How to avoid condensation
1. Produce less moisture.
2. Increase ventilation to remove moisture.
3. Insulate, draught proof and heat the property.
What is mould?
Condensation can lead tomould growth. Moulds are afungi, which are simple plantsthat will grow wherever thereare damp surfaces in houses;the most common place is onand around windows.
First steps againstmould
First treat any mould that ispresent within the property andthen deal with the basic problem with condensation.Mould growth should not reoccur.
Wipe down windows and window-sills every morning in cold weather.
To kill and remove mould, wipe down the walls and window frames where the mould has formed with a fungicidal wash. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely or you can use a mild bleach solution.
Disturbing by brushing or vacuum cleaning can increase the risk of respiratory problems.
After treatment, it is recommended to redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring. Please note this paint is not effective if overlaid with ordinary paints and wallpaper.
If the carpets have been affected by mould growth then they should be professionally cleaned.
6 www.erewash.gov.uk
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
How to reducecondensation and mould growth
Please ask your tenants to
recycle as much as they can
using the blue and brown bins
and green bags.
If you require any leaflets to
help promote the recycling
message in your properties
then please do not hesitate to
contact Refuse & Recycling
Services on 0115 907 2244.
To ensure that your property is
left clean and tidy prior to any
re-occupation, the vacating
tenant should be encouraged
to use their free bulky waste
allowance.
If necessary any extra
unwanted items including any
household waste can be taken
to the Derbyshire County
Councils household waste
recycling centre located on
Manners Industrial Estate
in Ilkeston.
Information on the free bulky
waste service can be located
at:
www.erewash.gov.uk/
environment-waste/
household-rubbish-and-
recycling/special-
collections-for-large-items
A HMO can be defined as a
house or flat which is let to 3
or more tenants who form 2
or more households and
share a kitchen, bathroom
or toilet.
Self-contained flats that have
not been converted to the
standard of the 1991 Building
Regulations also fall under the
dentition of a HMO.
A Mandatory HMO License is
required when there are 5 or
more tenants who form 2 or
more households, sharing
amenities and the property is
3 storeys or more. The current
cost of a 5 year HMO License
is £793.00 and renewal of a
HMO License for a subsequent
5 years is £680.00.
If you are a landlord or
property developer and would
like more information of HMO’s
or would like an officer to visit a
property to discuss the
requirements before any
conversion works start, then
please contact a member of
the Housing Renewal Team on
0115 931 6060.
Recycling
Can you do more?Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 6
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
www.erewash.gov.uk 7
The Handy Van service is
aimed at the more vulnerable
and elderly members of the
community over the age of
60 living in the Borough of
Erewash to enable them to
live safely in their own home.
Examples of work are:
• Home fire safety checks.
• Smoke alarms checked
and fitted.
• Home security checks.
• Energy efficiency advice.
• Falls Prevention Advice
Practical tasks for example,
• Changing light bulbs.
• Securing carpets and rugs.
• Removing and hanging
curtains.
• Checking stair rails and
appropriate path and door
access clearance.
Further information or to book
an appointment please call
Medequip on 01773 604426.
Metropolitan Care & Repair
are a home improvement
agency, working throughout
Derbyshire, which assists
home-owners and private
sector tenants.
We can support your tenants
by signposting to various
services e.g. befriending,
welfare rights and handyvan
service as well as offering
advice in relation to disabled
adaptations and housing
issues.
If you have a tenant who you
think may benefit from our
service, then please contact
us on:
0845 850 8013or email:
hiaderbyshire@
metropolitan.org.uk
Handy Van Service We may be able to help your tenants!
Every year around 70 deaths
and 350,000 injuries within
UK Homes are caused by
faulty electrical installations
and electrical equipment.
The majority of electrical
accidents are caused by
shocks, burns, fire and
mechanical movements
initiated by electricity.
Such accidents are mainly
caused by:-
• Broken accessories and
equipment;
• Deterioration of electrical
installation;
• Misuse of the installation
and equipment and
• Non or inconsistent
maintenance programmes.
Typical examples of potentially
dangerous electrical
installation are shown below.
The Landlords and Tenants Act
1985 states that private
landlords are responsible to
ensure that the electrical
installation and electrical
appliances in a rented property
are safe when a tenancy
begins and maintained in a
safe condition throughout
the tenancy.
The Electrical Safety Council
recommends that an electrical
installation inspection and test
should be carried out by a
registered electrician at least
every five years or on change
of tenancy in accordance with
BS 7671.
HMO’s
Under ‘The Management of
Houses in Multiple Occupation
(England) Regulations 2006’
states that the electrical
installation is inspected and
tested at intervals not
exceeding five years by a
qualified electrician in
accordance with BS 7671.
More information can be
obtained from:
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.
uk/guides-and-advice/for-
landlords/
www.gov.uk/private-
renting/your-landlords-
safety-responsibilities
Electrical Safety
Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 7
8 www.erewash.gov.uk
Private Sector Landlords Winter 2014
Council Contact
New Anti-social BehaviourTools and Powers
October 2014 sees the introduction of
new anti-social behaviour tools and
powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour
Crime and Policing Act 2014. At
present, there are 18 existing remedies
and these will be reduced to just 6.
The range of Court Orders targeted at
anti-social individuals, (e.g. ASBOs and
ASB Injunctions), will be replaced with
new tools - the 'Criminal Behaviour
Order,' and the 'Crime Prevention
Injunction'.
In addition, the various closure and
control orders and notices, will be
replaced by 'Community Protection
Notice', 'Public Spaces Protection
Order and the 'Closure Power'.
Finally, Police powers such as
directions to leave and dispersal orders
will be replaced by a Police Direction
Power.
Furthermore, the Government will
create a "community trigger" which will
impose a duty on the members of new
community safety partnerships to take
action to deal with ASB where local
agencies have failed to respond.
We work to tackle anti-social behaviour in local communities by working with different organisations, residents and landlords.
For further information:
Anti-social behaviour
Erewash Borough Council
Visit: www.erewash.gov.uk
E: communitysafety@erewash.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 907 2244 and ask for the
Community Safety Team
or
Derbyshire Constabulary
Visit: www.derbyshire.police.uk
Phone: 101 the non-emergency number
or 999 in an emergency
Recycling, Rubbish and Waste
Erewash Borough Council
Visit: www.erewash.gov.uk
E: environmentalhealth@erewash.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 907 2244 and ask about
recycling and rubbish
Noise nuisance
Erewash Borough Council
Visit: www.erewash.gov.uk
E: environmentalhealth@erewash.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 907 2244 and ask for the
Environmental Health Team
'If you require this publication in analternative format and/or languageplease contact the council to discussyour needs. Information on thecouncil’s services including alanguage translation option can befound on our website
www.erewash.gov.uk
or email your request to:enquiries@erewash.gov.uk
or call 0115 907 2244.
0115 907 2244
www.erewash.gov.ukenquiries@erewash.gov.uk
Minicom:0115 931 6056
Ilkeston Town Hall, Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 5RP
Long Eaton Town Hall,Derby Road, Long Eaton Derbyshire NG10 1HU
Housing Renewal TeamMerlin House, Merlin WayIlkeston, Derbyshire DE7 4RAehgrants@erewash.gov.uk
)
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Private Landlords Bulletin Winter 2014:July 2011 Issue 10/10/2014 16:56 Page 8
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