IN BUSINESS Landlords and agents could be blacklisted

BANNING orders will be introduced for landlords and letting agents in Halton barring those who commit offences from working in the renting industry by placing their details in a database of blacklisted landlords and agents.

Updated legislation will come into force in April.

It will mean agents and landlords who are convicted of a banning order offence being barred from working in the lettings market whether as a landlord, letting agent or working as part of a property management team.

Some of the most common banning order offences are for unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier, violence for securing entry, and failing to comply with an improvement notice.

Other offences include those in relation to licensing HMOs, fire and gas safety issues, harassment and stalking, theft, burglary, blackmail and handling stolen goods.

It is not yet clear whether this database will be accessible to the public and, there may be some variations and additions before the regulations are finalised and approved by the Government.

Lettings managing director at Romans Michael Cook said: “We are delighted to see the Government taking action on this issue.

“Rogue landlords and agents give the whole lettings industry a bad name and cast a negative public perception across the industry.

“I firmly believe that this will better protect tenants’ rights as well the wider lettings industry.

“With more and more legislation coming into effect in the lettings industry from taxation changes to ‘Right To Rent’ checks and carbon monoxide safety, it is becoming increasingly more complicated for landlords.

“It’s crucial that landlords stay on top of changes in the industry and ensure that their let is compliant and profitable.”

Research from the National Landlords Association found that more landlords are turning to a managing agent to look after their property on their behalf, ensuring they meet their legal responsibilities and make a profit.

The survey found there had been a 7% increase in the number of landlords using a letting agent from the end of 2016 to June 2017 and that annually the proportion of landlords who self-managed had decreased by almost 10%.