Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Landlords in Carmarthenshire are being reminded that there are just weeks left before the deadline to register under the new housing laws introduced in Wales. By November 23, all landlords must register and self-managing landlords and agents will need to obtain a licence, as a requirement of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014. To obtain a licence, self-managing landlords and agents must either complete training on-line or attend an approved training course. Carmarthenshire County Council was the first local authority in Wales to be certified as a landlord trainer. Rent Smart Wales is the service delivered by Cardiff City Council who have been designated by the Welsh Government to be the single licensing authority on behalf of all local authorities in Wales. They process registrations and grant licenses to all landlords and agents who need to comply with the legislation. Over a hundred landlords have already completed their training with Carmarthenshire County Council, with many more booked...

Carmarthenshire County Council has become the first local authority in Wales to be accredited as a landlord trainer. New Welsh legislation requires every landlord to register, and also obtain a licence if they manage a private rented property. In order to meet licence conditions, landlords – or the person or agent they have appointed to manage their tenancies on their behalf – must attend approved training. Carmarthenshire landlords are now being invited to train with Carmarthenshire County Council. The course is only suitable for self-managing landlords. If a landlord manages a private rental property on behalf of another person, then they will need to attend an agent training course, which can be booked via Rent Smart Wales . Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing Services, said: “We are pleased to have been accredited as the first local authority approved Rent Smart Wales training provider. The course will go through all the requirements that a self-managing landlord...

Homeowners are being advised of a new opportunity to get help towards improvements that will make their home warm, safe and secure. Carmarthenshire County Council is now able to offer repayment loans to homeowners, landlords and tenants who have to make repairs to their home as part of a tenancy agreement. Interest free loans of up to £25,000 are available, on condition that the works will improve the energy efficiency of a home, or make it a safer place to live. Only the council’s registered builders can be used to carry out the work. Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “With winter on its way, people may be thinking of making improvements to their home but can’t afford the upfront costs of hiring a builder. These interest free loans are being made available to help people who own, or live in, substandard homes. We’re pleased to be able to offer homeowners priority, and also landlords who join our Social Lettings Agency.” The loans are offered to people at th...

A landlord who failed to properly manage a home he rented out in Llanelli’s Tyisha ward has become the first landlord prosecuted by Carmarthenshire County Council under its Selective Licensing scheme . The council introduced Selective Licensing in Tyisha in 2014 in an effort to improve living conditions for tenants and bring down levels of anti-social behaviour. The scheme requires all landlords to apply for a license, but landlord Brett Richard Taylor had failed to apply. He pleaded guilty at Carmarthenshire Magistrates Court on Friday, June 26, to an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Housing Act 2004, in that he failed to correctly licence his premises. He was fined £290 with further costs totalling £433. His tenant may now be able to claim back all the rental payments made during the period the property was unlicensed. More significantly, because of his conviction, Taylor is not classified as a ‘fit and proper person’ to manage any properties he owns in Tyisha and must nominat...

Landlords with properties in Carmarthenshire are being urged to keep up with new legislation. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Housing department is keen to keep in touch with all private landlords so they can help keep them informed about new and ever-changing legislation which affects the way they can let and manage their homes to tenants. As part of their efforts they are hosting a Carmarthenshire Landlord Forum at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli, on Wednesday October 1, where guest speakers will talk about changes in the industry, including the benefits system which will affect tenants. It is also an opportunity for landlords to meet each other and get free advice from industry experts. Cllr Tegwen Devichand, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “This is a free event which could be invaluable to landlords. There are many changes coming through, and we want every landlord to be clued up about the way it will affect their business. “We’re keen to help and provide support to ensure...

The UK's largest private sector housing landlord, Kevin Green, has warned against a Labour Party proposal to cap rent increases. "Meddling with the free market always leads to fallout in some shape or form," the 50-year-old social entrepreneur said. "I know some people will say, 'Yes, he is bound to argue against rentals caps as he is a landlord.' But it is not all about self-interest. It is about common-sense. "I've built up years of experience in the marketplace in private sector housing - so I know what works and what doesn't work. "Believe you me, this Labour Party idea won't work. "It is a policy that the Labour Party thinks will score them brownie points with the general public. "But I simply don't agree with capping the rent market. "Whenever a free market supply and demand is meddled with, there is always fallout, which will inevitably cost the Government more money. "It makes no commercia...

Social entrepreneur Kevin Green has warned that the Government’s Universal Credit welfare reforms are a “disaster waiting to happen”. Green, who is one of the UK’s largest private sector landlords, has said the Government should be ringing “alarm bells” following the results of a South Wales trial of benefit reforms. The trial in Torfaen saw rent arrears from tenants in the area rise seven-fold to £140,000 in seven months. The planned Government changes mean that housing benefit (previously paid directly to landlords) will now be transferred to claimants. The Government has said that the change will help claimants manage their finances better. But landlords in the pilot area in Torfaen have warned that evictions could increase if the trend in the trial area continues after the system for paying benefits is fully adopted. Millionaire entrepreneur Green, 49, runs a massive portfolio of private rental properties from his South Wales base. “Like hundreds of other landlords out there, I o...

Landlords are being invited to an annual forum meeting being held in Carmarthen tonight. The forum, hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council, will look at a number of issues which will be high on the agenda of all landlords, including the forthcoming Welfare Reforms. Confirmed guest speakers include Lee Cecil of the National Landlords Association, and Karl Thomas, Head of Rent Officers, Wales. David Crane, Chair of the Carmarthenshire Landlords Forum, said: “Both landlords and tenants are beginning to feel the impact of the Government’s Welfare Reform which represents the biggest overhaul of the benefits system for over 60 years. “With major changes to Housing Benefits, it’s vital that landlords keep up to date with issues and you can do this by attending our Landlord Forum meetings where this, and more, will be discussed in greater detail.” The forum meeting is being held from 6pm on Tuesday, November 6, at Carmarthen Leisure Centre. Entry is free and refreshments will be provided. Fo...

Cannabis cultivation: Warning to landlords and public | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police are urging landlords and members of the public to be on the look out for people using premises for illegal activity. This call is part of a response to the three males – not local to the area – arrested and charged with offences of cultivation/production in Pembrokeshire last week.

Landlords in Carmarthenshire are being invited to find out more about issues affecting the private rented sector. Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing department is hosting the event at Llanelli’s Parc Y Scarlets from 1pm on Thursday, March 3rd. A series of talks will be held, covering issues including changes to the benefits system and new legislation, and advice on inventories and bonds. Landlords can also get information on grants opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, and will be able to ask questions to a panel of experts in a Question Time format. A wide range of organisations and trades people will also be available on the day. David Crane, chair of the Landlord Forum, said: “We are excited to be holding our sixth event, which will be bigger and better than previous years. Landlords have found previous years very informative and useful.” Landlords who wish to attend, and trades people wishing to book a stand, can book a place through the Llanelli...

A major programme is underway to improve standards in the private rented sector in Carmarthenshire. Housing chiefs want to ensure that the county’s rental accommodation is of the highest quality for tenants. They are working with landlords to drive up standards and stamp out potential hazards like fire safety, damp and mould, excess cold and electrical problems. A Housing Health and Safety rating system is in place to identify issues in private rented properties. And a Carmarthenshire Accommodation Accreditation Scheme has been set up to identify good landlords, agents and properties. Regular landlord forum meetings are held and landlords and letting agents are encouraged to apply to the scheme. Properties are assessed and included on the recommended database if they meet the required legal standards. A programme is in place to inspect and license houses of multiple occupation in the county. Housing officers work closely with landlords and give advice on raising standards, and in extre...