LETTINGSnews
TECHNOLOGY
New ‘crime map’ – useful or damaging?
The launch of a new online crime map to highlight areas of antisocial behaviour in
the UK has caused a bit of a furore. Launched by the Home Office, the online tool enables potential tenants to check postcode areas to find out how many incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour have been reported in the vicinity. Like most sets of statistics, the
mapping doesn’t always tell the whole story – and the big question is, do we need to know the whole story? Will it do anyone any good? No, says Landlord Assist, the nationwide eviction specialist and rent collection firm,which believes that it could have a damaging impact on landlords in the buy-to- let sector. Graham Kinnear, MD at
Landlord Assist said, “The new crime map could create a growing disparity between the demand for properties in areas with low levels of crime and those deemed potential crime hotspots.” “Whilst landlords in areas of low crime could see overwhelming demand, landlords may start to struggle to let their properties in areas which have higher levels of crime and this will force rents down regardless of the condition of the property and landlords with empty properties may also see their void periods last even longer and this
could impact them financially.” However, Judienne Wood,
Lettings Director at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, said, “I believe that the release of the Met police crime maps are unlikely to have a major impact on London’s property prices. Properties in areas with a higher crime rate are already valued to reflect this and although some buyers or tenants may use crime maps as a research tool, factors such as transport, proximity to work, property types, schooling and amenities will also be taken into consideration and, as always, people will move to the best area they can afford.” On the day the crime map was launched, the website crashed as it became the day’s irresistible web search, to see how many ASBs (as they are called) occurred where we all live. The Home Office (
www.police.uk) was receiving up to five million hits an hour, or some 75,000 a minute. The site allows you to see the
offences reported in your local street by entering a street name or postcode. Home Secretary Theresa May said the maps would give real facts on crime and anti-social behaviour
‘152 crimes listed on one street in December 2010.’
and make police more accountable. When we looked, there were
3 reported crimes in December in our (rural) postcode, compared to 1582 in Brixton and 752 in Hampstead, London. The worst streets in December: Total crime Glover’s Court, Preston (152) Wind Street, Swansea (148) Surrey Street, Portsmouth (136) Albert Road Sth, Watford (135) Newgate St., Newcastle (130) Burglary Fairfield Drive, Bury (10) Kingswood Close, Egham (10) Davies Street, Oldham (9) Belvoir Road, Bristol (9) Bayswater Court, Hull (9) Anti-social behaviour Newgate Street, Newcastle (79 ) Rowley Road, Harringey (77) Fairford Way, Gloucester (75) Glover’s Court, Preston (73) St John’s, Leicester (69) Violence Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth (38) Lower Twelfth St, Milton Keynes (35) Wind Street, Swansea (34) Market Street, Wigan (32) Albert Road South, Watford (25) All fascinating stuff, but is it
useful to anyone? Agents. buyers, landlords, tenants?
What do you think? Jon the debate. Email the Editor,
Sheila@propertydrum.com
STUDENT LETS
Endsleigh launches new landlord policy Endsleigh has
launched a new policy for landlords. The insurer’s
research found
that whilst the 60 day cover for unoccupied properties is suitable for those renting to non student tenants, student landlords needed an additional 60 days to help protect their property outside of university term time, so this new market leading policy gives 120 days un-occupancy cover for student tenants, ensuring a property is fully protected throughout the year. The package includes
automatic cover for digital communication equipment, malicious damage to property of up to £25,000 and alternative accommodation and loss of rent cover, helping to reassure landlords during these difficult economic times. As the only insurer
recommended by the National Union for Students, Endsleigh insures over 47,000 students in shared houses. Endsleigh will be introducing an information pack for students and student landlords, which includes tips for tenants on keeping the property in good shape – to help them protect their deposit and ultimately protect the landlord’s investment. Product Manager, Vikki
Jefferies (pictured), said, “Endsleigh prides itself on understanding the needs of landlords and tenants, whether they’re students or working professionals. We are dedicated to supporting landlords by offering a marketing leading and specialised package. It is crucial that any landlord renting a property, for students or non student tenants, insures their property. Our new products allow landlords to tailor the insurance they need, offering a service that caters to the individual’s property and specific tenant status.”
48 MARCH 2011 PROPERTYdrum
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