A new forum for private landlords across West Cheshire is to hold its first meeting in Ellesmere Port.
The drop in has been welcomed by the council’s cabinet chief for housing Ellesmere Port councillor Angela Claydon (Lab, St Paul’s).
It will see private landlords from across the borough meeting in the Civic Suite, Civic Way on Thursday November 26 .
The event, running from 3.30pm to 7pm, is backed by Cheshire West and Chester Council and the National Landlords Association.
During the summer the council consulted with the private landlords and asked them what they wanted from a relaunched landlord forum.
Many landlords said they valued the forum as they felt it was an effective way for them to find out about the latest developments facing privately rented property owners and to meet with fellow landlords.
Cllr Claydon, who was also housing chairman in the former Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, said: “As a council we recognise the importance the private rented sector plays in helping to meet the housing needs of our residents.
“We want to actively engage with the sector and the relaunched landlord forum provides us with an ideal opportunity to help promote a vibrant private rented sector.
“The relaunched forum will feature a series of presentations that will not only help to keep landlords updated on current best practice but will also help stimulate debate about the latest housing issues.
“Guest speakers will be talking about the latest issues facing the sector as well as providing the borough`s landlords with help and advice.”
Garry Heil from the National Landlords Association (NLA) said: “I am really pleased that Cheshire West and Chester Council have embraced working with the sector so positively.
“The NLA is very keen to work with both landlords and the council to help improve housing standards across the borough.”
As part of the event the NLA, which exists to protect and promote the interest of private-residential landlords, will be highlighting changes to the serving of a Section 21 notice which is the starting process to ending a tenancy.
There will also be practical advice on the Government`s Right to Rent legislation which is concerned with ensuring that a prospective tenant is entitled to live in the UK and have a right to rent.
Everyone attending will also be able to take part in a live HMRC ‘Webinar’ event which will provide details about the tax implications for renting properties.
There will also be information stands and experts on hand to discuss topics such as landlord accreditation, empty homes and energy efficiency.
West Cheshire Homes, the new Council run choice based lettings and housing advice service, will be present to explain their new range of services available to the sector.
It is proposed to run the forums twice a year so that the council and local landlords can build on their relationship as well as making sure landlords have all the help and advice they need which is available to them through various organisations.
All private landlords who have properties in Cheshire West and Chester, or letting agents, are invited to attend. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Allan Batty on 0151 356 6410 or email allan.batty@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Will you be attending? Do you rent in Ellesmere Port? Let us know in the comments below
