The dawning of COVID-19 has changed the way we all must think about our businesses. We do not know what is around the corner; the rental sector today is no exception. It has become increasingly difficult for letting agents and landlords to know what is required of them and what standards they need to adhere to.
Property Health Check
KPR are soon to launch their Property Health Check (PHC) system, which is the PropTech version of the annual ‘Property MOT’ concept, which derives from the annual Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) MOT process, with the ambition of amalgamating licensing and health and safety checks into one document, with the potential to soon become legislation. This system is set to replace existing property licensing processes in order to improve standards in the private rented sector (PRS).
The Fitness for Human Habitation Act
Darren believes that the Fitness for Human Habitation Act (FFHH) 2018 is underrated, as it ensures safety standards and habitable living conditions in the letting industry. KPR’s PHC system will have a live FFHH and issue reporting status and will allow two-way communication between the tenant and agent, which has already proved to have been an invaluable tool during the COVID-19 lockdown, since releasing their Tenant Self-Assessment reporting system; this has allowed tenants to have full control over how their home has been managed and has enabled the agent to fulfil their obligation to the landlord, whilst the landlord has been satisfied that their property is fully managed and is being looked after.
KPR'S Software
KPR are always striving to listen to and support the demands of this industry. Appreciating that this is an especially difficult and uncertain time for letting agents, who act as the go-between for landlords and tenants; with new legislation introduced all the time, they have to keep both parties in good kilter, so KPR have to be turning negatives into positives, offering agents incentives, such as additional income streams, whilst keeping their workload as streamlined, consistent and as stress-free as possible.
KPR’s software offers FFHH and compliance all in one place, rather than agents having to delve through numerous files and applications for various certification and documentation for that property, e.g., gas safety certificates. All evidence involving FFHH and issue / maintenance reporting are also all in one place.
Darren believes that a property MOT is what is needed to regulate this industry. This would cover aspects such as gas and electrical safely, rising damp and disrepair, so, to follow the Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH) Act 2018, it will enforce regulation, consolidate and simplify the other legal issues currently causing confusion, which will give prospective tenants confidence before they sign a tenancy agreement, whilst offering landlords greater clarity and protection against prosecution, with the added value of supporting landlords by saving them money by just paying for one annual certificate rather than paying for extortionate licensing fees. This helps counteract the tenancy fee ban and other expensive elements that landlords have been penalised with.
Another positive with an annual property MOT is that it will support local authorities by saving them internal costs on HHSRS staffing and enforcement costs.
KPR are pleased to have had a positive and supportive response from David Cox, ARLA Propertymark Chief Executive on our launch of their PHC, which can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
For more information contact KPR at www.kpr.global / +44 (0) 208 54 22 333.
