Posts with tag: London Rental Standard

London Rental Standard scheme slammed by Sadiq Khan

Published On: June 2, 2016 at 11:11 am

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The new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has moved to criticise former Mayor’s Boris Johnson’s handling of the London Rental Standard. This is an accreditation scheme for both landlords and letting agents.

Mr Khan has accused Johnson of, ‘being asleep at the wheel’ after he did not acknowledge repeated suggestions that the initiative would not hit targets.

The London Rental Standard

The scheme was announced four years ago, with the intention of signing up 100,000 landlords by 2016. However, data from City Hall shows that the scheme has actually accredited less than 2,000 landlords since its inception.

Mr Johnson allegedly ignored a claim that it would take in excess of 50 years to accredit enough landlords to reach the target. In addition, the former Mayor was told that there were insufficient resources to actively enforce the scheme.

Widely regarded as a failure, the London Rental Standard inherited only 13,300 landlords from previous schemes. As of March this year, the scheme had accredited just 1,845 new landlords.

London Rental Standard scheme slammed by Sadiq Khan

London Rental Standard scheme slammed by Sadiq Khan

Plans

Talking at a visit to the Hackney Family Service on Tuesday, the new Mayor outlined his plans for the capital’s Private Rented Sector.

Mr Khan said that he was focusing on extending existing licensing schemes and outing so-called rogue landlords.

Khan said, ‘I am determined to get a grip on the private rented sector. I’ve met families who have had to move nearly a dozen times with their children because they can’t afford the rent or they have been treated terribly by their landlord. This is not good enough.’[1]

In addition, Khan said that his predecessor made little or no progress on improving the private rental sector.

[1] https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/6/boris-knew-agent-accreditation-scheme-was-doomed-to-fail-says-new-mayor

 

 

London Landlords to Receive Cashback on Old Boilers

Published On: February 4, 2016 at 1:22 pm

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The capital’s first boiler replacement scheme has been launched, announced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

The London Boiler Cashback Scheme is offering £400 in cashback when old, inefficient boilers are replaced to 6,500 of the capital’s homeowners and private landlords.

London Landlords to Receive Cashback on Old Boilers

London Landlords to Receive Cashback on Old Boilers

The scheme works on a first-come, first-served basis, so landlords are being encouraged to apply early.

Private landlords or their letting agents must be accredited with the London Rental Standard in order to be considered. They can apply for cashback on more than one property, so long as they meet the scheme’s requirements.

Replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a new, efficient version can be beneficial in many ways; a more efficient boiler can mean average savings of £340 per year, as well as a warmer, more comfortable home. It also substantially reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is hoped that the scheme as a whole will significantly cut carbon emissions and improve air quality across London.

If you are considering applying for the scheme, the following rules apply:

  • The current boiler must be 70% or less energy efficient – usually a G rated boiler that is either gas, LPG, solid fuel or oil fuelled – in working order and the main boiler used to heat the property.
  • The replacement must be a gas boiler that is A rated – at least 90% energy efficient – or a renewable/low carbon heating technology.
  • The installer must be a Gas Safe registered installer, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installer or equivalent, or a member of a competent persons scheme, such as OFTEC or HETAS.

When you apply, you must provide details of the boiler to be replaced, along with those of the heating engineer. You will then receive a voucher, after which the boiler can be replaced.

Vouchers are valid for 12 weeks from the date of issue, in which time the boiler must be installed. To receive the £400 cashback, you must then send back proof of installation, along with the voucher, no later than ten working days after the expiry date of the voucher.

For more information on the scheme, details of how to apply and the terms and conditions, visit: www.london.gov.uk/boilers

Boris Johnson’s Rental Standard is Failing

Published On: June 9, 2015 at 3:51 pm

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A Labour London Assembly member has said that Boris Johnson’s voluntary self-regulation system for landlords is failing private tenants in Tower Hamlets.

Boris Johnson's Rental Standard is Failing

Boris Johnson’s Rental Standard is Failing

The London Rental Standard (LRS) scheme was launched last year. The London Mayor pledged to sign up 100,000 landlords by May 2015. However, Labour’s candidate for the mayoral election in Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, says only 14,350 of London’s 300,000 private landlords have signed up. Johnson is therefore just 14% of the way there.

Introduced on 28th May 2014, the LRS sets minimum standards for landlords and combines several voluntary landlord accreditation schemes in London.

When the LRS was launched, it was reported that 13,512 landlords were already signed up to various accreditation schemes. Since, just 838 additional landlords have signed up, despite a publicity campaign.

Biggs says: “Boris Johnson’s abysmal record on housing is epitomised by the fact that with less than a year to go he has signed up just 14% of the 100,000 landlords he promised by May 2015. This is failing private renters in Tower Hamlets.

“We need real change in the private rented sector. Residents in Tower Hamlets need the peace of mind and security of longer tenancy agreements, caps on rent increases and an end to no fault evictions. Instead, Boris Johnson’s system of voluntary self-regulation is leaving private renters with little protection from bad landlords.”1

1 http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/6/mayor’s-rental-standard-has-“flopped”-says-critic?utm_content=buffere1af4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer