Tag Archives: landlord insurance

In Which Part Of England Are Tenants Most Satisfied With Their Landlord?

LandlordsThe National Landlords Association (NLA) has recently carried out some research into how satisfied tenants are in various parts of England with their landlord.

Interestingly, throughout all the English regions, 79% of tenants stated that they were pleased with their landlord.

The research revealed that tenants in the East Midlands are the happiest with 83% of those tenants taking part in the survey in that part of the country expressing their view that they were satisfied with the relationship they had with their landlord. People renting in the South West and North West of the country were jointly second in this satisfaction survey with 82% being satisfied – only just below the East Midlands. In third place were tenants living in the South East at 80%.

The West Midlands was in fourth spot with 79%. Yorkshire and the Humber was in fifth place with 73%. London was in sixth spot on 72%. East of England finished in seventh place on 71% and in last spot was the North East with a disappointing 67%.

As you can see, whilst the majority of tenants are satisfied with their landlord, there is quite aLandlords wide difference in terms of satisfaction between the East Midlands (83%) and the North East with only 67%. To have such a difference does seem strange and begs the question why?

There will no doubt be a variety of reasons why some tenants are unhappy with their landlord and, in a number of cases, there may be “two sides to every story”. However, it would undoubtedly be preferable if both parties got on with one another. After all, it is probably easier for a tenant to accept a rent increase if he or she is happy living in the rental property and a tenant is more likely to respect and look after the property, fittings and its contents if they are satisfied with their landlord. Apparently, the NLA can provide training for landlords to assist them in improving standards.

Landlords To Check Tenants’ Citizenships

You will be well aware of the focus the UK Government is placing on identifying and removing illegal immigrants from our shores. On a frequent basis, we hear about another batch of such people being caught in the back of a lorry trying to gain access to the UK mainland.

Despite the valiant attempts made by those responsible to stop illegal immigrants taking up occupancy here, there are some that still get through the various rigorous security checks. Presumably, few come to the UK with sufficient funds to purchase a property so the majority no doubt often end up in some form of rented accommodation.Passport

Well, as a landlord you will be interested to read that the first phase of what is called the “right to rent” scheme is being introduced on the 1st December 2014. It applies to those privately renting out their investment properties in the Black Country and Birmingham.

Such landlords will be required to check their tenant’s citizenship and identity by examining a biometric residence permit or passport and retain a copy for a year. This scheme has been introduced to create what is being called a “hostile environment” for illegal immigrants.

This new system should not be taken lightly by landlords in the West Midlands as they could face a fine of as much as £3,000 if they do not carry out the above checks on prospective new tenants. The only new tenants that do not need to be checked in this way are the likes of immediate family members, those under 18 years of age and those in local authority housing, refuges, hostels and students nominated by colleges.

For their part, the Home Office has confirmed that it will reply within 48 hours to landlords checking the status of new tenants that have appeals and immigration applications pending. It is expected that such checks will be gradually brought into other parts of the UK in 2015.

We would welcome any comments from our landlord clients in respect of the above i.e. do you feel that it is right that you should have this requirement placed firmly on your shoulders.