Training Webinars

Posted on April 30th, 2021 - SOUTH WEST LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION

Wednesday 23rd June 2021 – 11am – 12:30pm

& Repeated at 7pm – 8:30pm

We are holding two FREE training webinars being presented by Stephen Fowler.

The webinar will cover the topic – HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) and Fitness for Human Habitation.  

If you would like to register for either of these sessions, please contact the office to book your place stating which you wish to attend.

Once you have registered, we will email you details regarding joining the webinar.

Latest SWLA Training Webinar a Great Success

Posted on April 30th, 2021 - SOUTH WEST LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION

Thank you to Stephen Fowler for a brilliant webinar on Wednesday 28th April. Landlord Compliance was covered in depth and lots of recent, new legislation was discussed. We had over 60 members join us with some great queries and points raised.

We look forward to our next training webinars on Wednesday 23rd June – 11am and repeated at 7pm (HHSRS and Fitness for Human Habitation) – contact the office to book your place!

SWLA General Meeting (via Zoom) 21 April 2020

Posted on April 22nd, 2021 - SOUTH WEST LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION

We continue to host our meetings online whilst Covid restrictions are in place. Not as nice as meeting in person at the Future Inn, but we look forward to those times again.

Thank you to all members who joined our meeting and thanks to our very informative speakers Martyn Taylor ( www.ashleytaylors.co.uk ) and Annette Stone ( www.thomaswestcott.co.uk ). Martyn and Annette are happy to accept questions via email, feel free to email the SWLA office and we will forward on for you.

If any of our members missed the meeting, we have Martyn’s lecture on The Debt Respite Scheme and Annette’s presentation on Tax Legislation Affecting Landlords. We are happy to send these by email upon request.

Take care, from the SWLA staff and Committee.

Electrical Safety Standards – All tenancies now require an Electrical Safety Inspection

Posted on April 1st, 2021 - SOUTH WEST LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

These Regulations apply in England to –

• all new specified tenancies from 1st July 2020; and
• all existing specified tenancies from 1st April 2021.

What do the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require?

Landlords of privately rented accommodation must:

• Ensure national standards for electrical safety are met. These are set out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’, which are published as British Standard 7671.
• Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years.
• Obtain a report from the person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test.
• Supply a copy of this report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
• Supply a copy of this report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises.
• Supply a copy of this report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report.
• Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.
• Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
• Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
• Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.

Please click here for the full NAPIT landlord guide; https://www.napit.org.uk/downloads/Electrical-Safety-in-the-Private-Rented-Sector-Regulations-Guidance-for-Landlords-NAPIT.pdf

And the full gov.uk guide; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

If you need an electrician, you can find one on the SWLA website trade directory https://www.landlordssouthwest.co.uk/tradelistings/electricians-pat-electrical-services/ or search the following;  www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk          www.search.napit.org.uk

Letting Agents Must Comply with Client Money Protection Legislation by 01 April 2021

Posted on April 1st, 2021 - SOUTH WEST LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION

Letting and property agents in England must belong to a client money protection scheme by 01 April 2021, when the two-year grace period comes to an end.

It has been mandatory for letting agents in England who hold client money to belong to a client money protection scheme since 1st April 2019.

Letting agencies can be fined up to £30,000, if they do not belong to an approved client money protection scheme, and up to £5,000, if they don’t display their certificate of membership or provide it when asked.

Client money protection schemes protect landlords’ and tenants’ money in the event of theft or misappropriation by agents and ensure that they are compensated. Client money protection also protects landlords’ and tenants’ money should an agency experience financial difficulties – if it was to go into administration, for example.

There are currently six government-approved client money protection schemes – Client Money Protect, Money Shield, Propertymark, RICS, Safeagent (previously NALS), and UKALA Client Money Protection. In order to join a client money protection scheme, agencies will need to hold their clients’ money in an account with a bank or building society authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Agencies are also expected to have strong client money handling procedures in place.

Agencies will need to display the certificate confirming their membership of an approved client money protection scheme in a visible location in each of their premises and on their website. It’s also recommended that they publish a copy of their membership certificates on third-party websites and alongside listings on portals. Agents must provide a copy of the certificate from their approved scheme to anyone who reasonably requests it, free of charge.

Article from https://blog.goodlord.co/letting-agents-must-comply-with-client-money-protection-legislation-by-1-april-2021

Free Webinar for Landlords by Mashroom – What valid expenses can you claim on your tax return? – 09 April 2021 – 3pm

Posted on April 1st, 2021 - SOUTH WEST LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION

Topic – Landlord Tax Topics: Limited companies or not? What valid expenses can you claim on your tax return? and more!

They will cover the following topics:

• To be LTD or not to be? What should landlords consider before moving their properties over to a limited company.

• What valid expenses can you claim on your tax return? Clearing up inconsistencies with regards to valid expenses.

• How can I avoid my heirs getting stung by inheritance tax? We’ll go over some of the most common issues that catch us out after we die.

To sign up, please visit the Mashroom site – Valid and invalid expenses that you can claim on your tax return – Free Webinar (mashroom.com)

**Please note, this is a 3rd party webinar, not hosted by SWLA**