Knowsley Private Landlord Forum Tuesday 25 th March

Knowsley Private Landlord Forum Tuesday 25 th March 2014

Agenda • Landlord Accreditation Update & EPC’s Neil Walklett (Housing Enforcement Officer, Knowsley MBC) • Keeping Safe with Gas Paul Dyke (Stakeholder Relations Manager, Gas Safe Register) • Recent Developments in Landlord and Tenant Law Tony Mc. Vey (President, North West Property Owners Association)

Knowsley Private Rented Sector • In 2012 the PRS equated to 8. 9% of total properties (Up from 6. 1% 2003, 7. 4% 2009) • Compared to 15. 4% across Merseyside • This equates to 5, 625 properties • Knowsley’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme: - Launched May 2010 - Feb 2014: 187 Properties Accredited (93 Landlords)

Why does Accreditation bring? Council: • Reduces hazards within private rented sector • Better management standards • Reduction in property related illness or injury • Reduction of empty properties • Lower level of ASB • Increase in available quality accommodation for residents • Assistance with homelessness • Encourages healthy growth of PRS within Knowsley • Reduces the need for enforced regulation, such as Selective Licensing

Accreditation Process Step 1: Application Form Regulatory Safety Certificates and Tenancy Agreement Step 2: Property Inspection Improvement plan issued (if necessary) Step 3: Re-inspection (if improvement plan issued) Step 4: Certification Step 5: Accreditation Lasts for 5 years.

Current Benefits • Currently FREE to join - 2010 Launch • Single Point Contact for signposting within Council - 2010 Launch • Free Property Inspection Service - 2010 Launch • Landlord Newsletter (3 Times Per year) - 2010 Launch • Landlord Forum (3 Times Per year) - 2010 Launch • Free listing on www. knowsley. gov. uk - 2010 Launch • Access to Tenancy Bond Scheme - Jan 2011 • Free Tenancy Reference Service (as part of ASB Pack) - July 2011 • Free Property advertising www. propertypoolplus. org. uk - July 2012 • Empty Homes Investment Opportunities - Nov 2012 • Free CO 2 Alarms - Sept 2013 • FREE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

What is an EPC • European Union initiative providing info on: – The energy efficiency rating of a property – The potential measures and savings • Ratings on a scale on A to G • Estimated energy use / cost • Summary of the current energy performance features • Includes a Recommendation Report • Environmental Impact

When is an EPC required? • All UK buildings that are constructed, sold or offered for rent after 1 st October 2008 • Valid EPC required whenever a property is marketed • Part of before and after assessments for ECO and GDA for Green Deal • Valid for 10 years • EPC registered on www. epcregister. com • Possible £ 200 trading standards fixed penalty for failure to supply an EPC within 7 days

Additional Incentives We want to consult with private landlords on landlord accreditation incentives Why? To encourage popularity of the scheme!