Articles by Sally Walmsley
Today in politics: MoJ data, benefits, rent changes and safety data
We look at new figures from RICS and the Ministry of Justice along with reports from the Resolution Foundation and MHCLG.
Tenant survey dispels fears of eviction surge
OVER 95% of private tenants are paying their rent or have made an arrangement with their landlord to pay less rent or defer payment during the pandemic according to a new survey of tenants out today.
BREAKING: NRLA victory as Welsh Government brings in tenant loans
Loans to pay off rent arrears built during the coronavirus pandemic will now be available to tenants in Wales following a campaign by the NRLA. The new Tenancy Saver Loans scheme, which will apply to the Private Rented Sector only, will allow tenants to borrow money to cover the arrears they have built, with the cash paid directly to the landlord or agent.
The Big Question: Do you use an agent?
The decision as to whether to use an agent or not is a big one. Opinions, and experiences, vary hugely across the board and we are asking you what you think as part of our Big Question feature in the Winter edition of member magazine Property.
Welsh possession laws ' draconian ' say landlords
Landlords are calling on the Welsh Government to rethink the decision to extend notice periods for possession to six months.The NRLA has described the decision as draconian and has sent an open letter to the Welsh Minister for Housing & Local Government asking them to reconsider.
NRLA win on energy efficiency grants
Landlords are today welcoming news the Government has accepted its recommendations on how the new Green Homes Grant scheme should work. The NRLA has long campaigned for support for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their homes which will benefit tenants through lower utility bills.
NRLA partners with the Scottish Association of landlords
Landlords who let properties in England, Wales and Scotland can now have joint membership of associations north and south of the border under a new partnership. The NRLA and Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) are partnering to allow landlords with properties in England, Wales and Scotland to pay a small top-up fee to be members of both organisations.
David Smith named as NRLA legal counsel
Leading housing lawyer and former RLA policy director David Smith has been announced as legal counsel for the National Residential Landlords Association.David is a partner at JMW Solicitors in London, specialising in landlord and tenant and property litigation in the residential sector.
No evictions crisis looming say landlords
There is no eviction crisis looming for private sector tenants, as new independent polling shows almost all have been able to pay their rent as usual during the coronavirus pandemic.In the survey of over 2,000 tenants across England and Wales, 90 per cent said that they had paid their rent as usual since the coronavirus crisis began.
Evictions ban fails victims of abuse
Extending the ban on evictions in rented housing will compound the suffering of victims of domestic violence and anti-social behaviour says the NRLA. As a result of the decision by the government to prevent any evictions taking place until the end of August, landlords are powerless to take action against tenants committing domestic abuse or making the lives of fellow tenants or neighbours a misery.