We welcomed Councillor Chris Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) and Jackie Kings (Head of Housing Solutions PCC) to the SWLA office last week to discuss the Private Rented Sector, the challenges landlords and tenants are facing, and other matters.
A great conversation as always. Discussions around landlords fears of the Renters’ Rights Act changes – and the fines involved for landlords – Cllr Penberthy reassured us that they will be working as they always do, alongside good landlords, encouraging landlords to get things right, rather than fining landlords at the first opportunity. We were pleased to hear that good landlords who keep up with legislation and attend courses and do their best to provide safe homes to tenants, should not be adversely affected by the changes.
We also discussed the huge numbers of landlords who are selling up due to the excessive and ever growing/changing legislation and increased taxes. Creating a shrinking Private Rented Sector. A worry for all.
Other discussions took place around Minimum Energy Efficiency/retrofit, residential development plans for Plymouth and general lack of housing for those who need it the most.