REsidEnTiallettings
millions of pounds and will result in
GLM BTEC Awards presentation
increased homelessness.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) was After his presentation Christopher Hamer
introduced for new tenancies in April 2008 congratulated members of the Guild of
replacing housing benefit. Instead of rent Letting & Management who have
being paid directly to private landlords it achieved their Guild of Letting &
now goes to the tenant who should pass on Management BTEC Qualification in
the rent money to their landlord. In Residential Letting & Management. 29
practice, many tenants are failing to do agents have completed the BTEC at levels
this, causing major problems, some 2, 3 and 4 in the last 12 months. Ten of
landlords are facing repossession because them, who have completed Level 4, were
rent money does not arrive. presented with crystal paperweights by
52 per cent of landlords surveyed have Christopher Hamer. Robert Hall receives his qualification
decided they would not let, or be ‘less
likely’ to let, to LHA tenants. A further 43
robert hall from Belvoir Lettings (Long vetting a tenant and securing a contract,
per cent of those landlords who have Eaton) was 18 when he qualified, the to carrying out an inventory, moving a
already tried the new system said they youngest candidate to acheive Level 4. tenant in and out seamlessly, and keeping
would now be leaving this failing market
Lucy dawe – Penyards Property the paperwork properly. It also offers an
because of increased uncertainty about Management introduction to the increasingly complex
rent payments.
Jyoti Patadia – Norgans Lettings & legislation in the field.
With £2.6 billion being spent on LHA Property Management Newcomers to the industry can get a
during 2009-10, the NLA is calling for
emma braun – Dunstable Property Lets head start from the comprehensive
immediate action.
Grant Woolley – Belvoir Lettings course material, while more experienced
Currently, a landlord must wait for eight
raewyn blomfield – Blomfield Property agents can apply their knowledge to help
weeks of rental arrears before the local
helen stuckes – Heritage Property them gain the qualification more quickly.
authority can take action and trigger direct
emily Corbett – Heritage Property To fit around the schedule of a busy
payment. In reality, arrears can be as long
anna brightmore – Primrose Property agent, the course is flexible and can be
as three months before the landlord Management structured using any combination of
receives their first payment. Contrary to
emily hannan – Lanes Lettings & open tutorials, in-house tutorials, home
the Government’s intentions, LHA tenants Property Management study, and distance learning
now have less choice as landlords opt out The Guild’s managing director, Susie
because they cannot afford to house the The Guild of Letting and Management Crolla says, “Standards in the lettings
most vulnerable tenants. BTEC Qualifications in Residential Letting industry needed to be addressed. The
and Management is a milestone for the Letting Training Centre had been
The ProPerTy ombudsman industry, helping managing agents and providing hands-on guidance for the last
Christopher Hamer, The Property landlords develop their skills and nine years, so I worked with Edexel to
Ombudsman (formerly the Ombudsman knowledge, and demonstrate their develop the BTEC from its courses. Now,
for Estate Agents) gave delegates an insight commitment to professionalism and knowledgeable and professional agents
into the Ombudsman Service. excellence. and landlords can have a qualification to
Quoting Sir Bryan Carsberg, Chris The qualification has been developed demonstrate their expertise, and
Hamer said, “Although regulation and with the Letting Training Centre, to offer landlords and tenants know they are
practical guidance on everything from going to a true professional.”
redress are often linked in the minds of can make awards for ‘aggravation, distress
consumers, their aims and methods are and inconvenience. T’ hey are not penalties,
distinctly different and they should be but are aimed at compensating the
carried out by separate bodies. complainant. 90 per cent of the awards are
“Redress is intended to provide under £1000. The service also makes
compensation for customers who have recommendations for improving Good
suffered from unacceptable behaviour.” Practice and raises awareness of regulation
Redress looks at events that have in the property sector.
happened in individual cases. Regulation is The Property Ombudsman Chris Hamer
the setting of rules by which the business writes exclusively for PROPERTYdrum,
must operate and where those rules are each issue. His June column is on page 43.
breached enforcement action is taken. Log on to
www.propertydrum.com/
The Property Ombudsman Service articles/ombudsmanmay to read his May
offers consumers redress against property issue column.
agents whom they feel have acted
incorrectly. With a growing workload the
If you have anything to add log onto
The Property Ombudsman, Chris Hamer Ombudsman investigates complaints and
www.propertydrum.com/articles/guild
60 JUNE 2009 PROPERTYdrum
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