The UK Government announced today, 22 October, further funding added to the new Job Support Scheme for businesses facing more hardship through the tiered systems introduced last week.
As we move through the difficult times of 2020, Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) takes a retrospective look at how challenges in the private rented sector have happened and how the property industry has managed them guiding agents to deal with or even avoid some issues in the future.
Despite COVID-19 limitations, agents have been largely permitted to open in areas where local lockdown restrictions have been enforced, and house moves have still progressed. It seems yet again, the pandemic hasn’t been a deterrent for buyers and renters determined to make a change.
Today, 19 October, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that the Welsh Government will impose a two-week fire-break period which requires Welsh residents to stay at home from 6pm on Friday 23 October until Monday 9 November. Today's rules also apply to those traveling into Wales from other parts of the UK: you are permitted to travel into Wales to work as long as you comply with the rules.
Propertymark has joined up with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) Wales in their campaign for political parties to commit to expanding the evidence base for housing by introducing a Welsh Housing Survey (WHS).
During a plenary debate on the general principles of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill on 13 October 2020, ARLA Propertymark was referenced by Mark Isherwood, Housing Spokesperson for the Conservatives, stating our arguments that the Bill will not secure the security of tenure and will make letting a less viable business for landlords, which in turn could push prices up if there is less housing stock available.
Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020, Propertymark highlights the requirement for the UK Government to invest in appropriate infrastructure and innovation, to level up economic opportunity.
The Scottish Government has recently published updated versions of the Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement, Easy Read Notes, Statutory Terms Supporting Notes, Notice to Leave, and Form AT6. Guidance has also been published to support agents and landlords following the introduction of the Rent Arrears Pre-Action Requirements (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.
The Local Government and Communities Committee has launched a call for views on the Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill, Propertymark will be responding and encourages others to feed their views into us to form our response.
The UK Government announced, on 7 October, further updates to the Safeguarding Directions (safeguarded zone) and zoned property schemes that replace all previous versions.
The 10 October marks #WorldHomelessDay, and not only does it provide a platform for Propertymark to raise awareness of opportunities to combat homelessness, but it also highlights our continued support and how others can do the same.
David Votta, owner of Votta Sales and Lettings in Kent, has been named as Vice President of ARLA Propertymark, joining the Presidential Team alongside President, Angela Davey, and President Elect, Maxine Forthergill to work with Propertymark.
The Welsh Government has today, 7 October, opened applications for its Tenancy Saver Loan Scheme for tenants in the private rented sector (PRS) facing rent arrears or those who are in rent arrears as a result of COVID-19.
On 30 September 2020, the UK Government opened a consultation seeking views on a suite of policy proposals, setting out how they intend to achieve their commitment to upgrade private rented sector homes in England and Wales to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2030.