BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I have lobbied BBC News for a month or so to run a story on private landlords which is being broadcast all this morning at about 10 pas the hour.

It features a resident of Peel Ward, Tracy paying £95pw. It cut the asbestos roof on the back. The BBC cameras came up to Accrington last Thursday.

This is an important issue for this constituency in many ways. Owner occupiers suffering, housing benefit rip off, houses rotting, areas undesireable, community spirit downbeat.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Watched it.

Well done.

Can't find the clip, showing the danger and squalor one young Accrington mum and her child was forced to live with, but found the script of what was reported.

BBC News - One million rented homes in England 'are dangerous'

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Just thought I'd link this thread, for anyone who didn't see it, which is about Hyndburn's attempt to try and tackle the rogue private landlords.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...rds-52620.html

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Yeh saw it too, there's too much dilapidated properties in hyndburn, particularly in woodnook, around matalan area looking a right mess as well as the hidden types being lived in - these people pay rent or Hb and landlords do nothing but take the cash. Took insult to conservative opinion that the scheme should be scrapped as there's no real problem bar a few grr!

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Well done Graham. If ever an issue needed highlighting, its this one.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Think you'll find that they didn't say there was no real problem, but there is already legislation on the statute books which can be used without creating more and more red tape, as highlighted this morning bare electrics and dodgy gas appliances are already outlawed by current rules and regs which SHOULD be implemented.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

its about time, everbody should give you support in this. ive never seen so many empty properties in one area and neglected hopefully they will cut the council tax rebates for empty proerties...

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

...and the programme highlighted cases in which tennants who complained, about conditions which didn't comply with existing legislation, were issued with notices to quit their homes.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

that guy on the news lives in fantasy world i think somebody should take him a tour round the housing problem areas and he will have a different opinion.thelaws about empty proerties is useless as the landlord of the house at the end of orange street has kept it empty for at least 9 years briging down the full arear and reducing house prices..

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I looked at the property in question G and ask would I have moved in to such a s--tip with or without promises of improvements

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

For some, there's very little option.

The private sector is where there are vacancies.

There are massive waiting lists, for the very few social housing there is left.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

some people havent a choice there is a select few landlords in accy bringing the full area down .with only a minority who actually care about their properties.its a known fact that lanlords bring areas down so they can buy the rest at reduced prices..

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Well this thread was started my our MP. I think I'm right in thinking that this problem did not spring to the forefront last May, it appears that very little was done to address the problem over many years not the last 8 months.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

agreeing with you 100% because most politicians live in their own safe havens in their own little world but it is good a local politician is highlighting this and should be supported all the way whatever political leanings he has.for too long this has been swept under the carpet all over britain the slum landlords have been getting away with murder yes basicly murder and its been swept under the carpet..

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I think the young lady was told by the landlord that improvements were going to be made, and surprise surprise they wern't, I understand what you're saying Jaysay but I think some people being young & naive will believe the landlord and wont know who to complain to about the dangerous living conditions when the promised repairs are not done.

And well done Graham for highlighting a problem that needed to be brought into the public spotlight

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Oh I agree it needs spotlighting, its just a pity it wasn't started 5 or ten years ago.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Sorry about this but I have been trying to post something for over an hour on this thread and it won't let me, still trying to work out what it dosen't like about my post.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Oh:D:D:D:D

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Graham has certainly not jumped on any bandwagon since he was elected as MP in May as he has been very proactive in trying to improve conditions for tenants of private landlords for several years. It is due to his efforts whilst he was a borough councillor that Hyndburn have tried to implement Selective Licensing of Landlords in certain areas of the borough.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

This was due to be fully implemented from begiining of October 2010 but a group of landlords have mounted a challenge and are in trying to block the scheme.

Thanks to Garinda for providing a link to the thread from last year that I started about the Selective Licensing Scheme. In fact some of the people who expressed very anti views in that thread are among the landlords who are now blocking the scheme.

I know that many long standing residents of Hyndburn are very concerned about the proliferation of the private rented sector and the effect it has had in some areas of depressing house prices.

Regarding the empty properties around Matalan - Steiner and Frederick Streets -they are part of a clearance area and will shortly be demolished by HBC.

Or even a hundred.

We are supposed to be a civilised society, all parties are to blame for the buildings that the rest of us will allow less fortunate to live in.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Have just seen the report and was shocked. I think that people are now paying the price for council houses being sold dirt cheap and nothing built as replacements.

Not a good advert for Accy at all.:mad::mad::mad:

Not just accy, it was a nationwide thing, the councils had no choice.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Yes. Strangely you'd think all good landlords would welcome greater controls, so their names wouldn't be blackened by those rogue landlord whose main concern is the profits from their investment, and who couldn't gave a tinker's cuss about the quality of their tennant's homes, and their health and safety, when they are daily living with hazard and danger.

Odd that.

:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Totally agree Less, but was making the point that this problem hasn't arisen in 8 months that's all

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

The idea of a scheme to regulate landlords is a good one , having said that the landlords that the scheme is aimed at are unlikely to comply with it. They do not care about their tenants or properties or the area that they are in.Its all about profit and turnover they often are from another area and havent even seen the properties or tenants to whom they rent them.
They will continue to avoid schemes like this as it is not in their interests to enter into a scheme which may mean having to spend money on their properties which means cutting profits,so they will employ every method they can to avoid it.
It may be that it should be enforced at the point of sale with the purchaser having to declare if a house is a buy to let when purchased.And harsh penalties enforced if upkeep of the properties is not to a good standard within allotted time scales.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I think good landlords are in favour of a regulatory scheme but dont want to be punished or paying for the more shady landlords misdemeanours and lax behaviour.The proper vetting of tenants by letting agents when out of area lanlords are the owners of properties would also be a step in the right direction in my eyes.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

In the linked thread, regarding the Selected Licencing scheme, that some are trying to bring to parts of Hyndburn, there are plenty examples given were the scheme has been implemented, and those rogue landlords you describe, have been heavily fined, when all other legal measures have failed.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

As stated, good landlords have nothing to lose.

Win, win.

;)

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I dont fully agree with that as often with these things, the majority often end up paying for the sins of the minority.I know from personal experience that one of the main problems for decent landlords is the payment of housing benefits being paid directly to the tennant this makes getting it sometimes a problem if you are unlucky to get a bad tennant.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Whilst it can be a problem that rent is paid direct to the tenant - the landlord of the house featured was actually getting the rent direct.

This is the website of the Hyndburn Landlords who are seeking to stop Selective Licensing in Hyndburn.
Hyndburn Landlords - Selective Licensing will affect YOU
In his interview Grant Shapps said that councils can use Selective Licensing to control bad landlords - but councils can only control them if they are allowed to implement the scheme. Although I do question whether Grant Shapps turely wants to tackle this modern day Rachmans.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Have you also decided to opt out of paying any taxes, on that proviso, because there's a minority of sinners who abuse our taxation system?

:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Thank you Graham for bringing this topic out. I dare no say too much on here but what I will say is, a couple of years ago my back door neigbours ( since gone thank goodness ) were shocking, they Lived in a private lanlords house ( one of the landlords that is objecting ) rubbish was regularly thrown out of windows into the back yard. Men urinating in the kitchen sink.( this house is higher than ours, so we can see ) I rang the landlord on many an occasion , never did he answer the phone,never. Eventually I contacted the council and a very nice man came to visit us, when he saw the rubbish I mention he was disgusted., said no-one should have to live with that mess around. I am sandwiched between private landlords property, they put anyone in them, as long as they get the rent,thats all that matters to them.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I am more fortunate than you,
The house I was living in was compulsory purchased and due to this I was put on a priority list.
I was lucky enough to be offered a completley renovated terraced house by Harvest.
If ever I get in touch about a minor problem or fault, it does not take them long to get someone out to do a repair.
All the legal yearly safety checks are carried out.

I wish all tenants could have landlords similar to mine, I'm sure that by keeping on top of repairs and so on, this prevents my landlord having major problems with their properties.

Oh, and the other thing they did in the initial tenancy agreement was every couple of months during the first year of my tenancy, to send a representative around to check that I was looking after their property and causing no inconvenience to my neighbours and making sure my neighbours weren't causing a problem for me.

If Heineken ever rented property they would be called 'Harvest'.

:D


Well, that's enough creeping, I'll look forward to at least a years rent rebate for that!
:)

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Snap.

Think we've been nobbled.

:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I have had that a couple of times recently and could not work out what I was posting that the forum did not like either.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Thats funny I've never had any trouble;)

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

.....

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

testing

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

So, it appears from Greeny's post, the landlord referred to is one of those who are trying to legally block the scheme being introduced in Hyndburn, which would help root out landlords from Hell.

Who'd have thought?

I'd hasten to guess who it was.

They all look so nice and respectable.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Very, very odd.

Just worked out why some can't post in this thread.

It's when you type S-elected L-icensing!!!

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Even though it's impossible to mention correctly it in this thread, I am of course referring to the S-elective L-icensing scheme.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Selective Licensing, what ya on about if this has posted?:confused:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

I tried to submit post 40 for twenty four hours.

In frustration I deleted the words Selective Licensing, and immediately posted it successfully seconds later.

Can do it now, but not before.

Totally weired.

It's not like I don't know how to post.

:eek::p:eek:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

must be the gremlins mate.:eek: P.B.s probably in charge of them.:D

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Is there a property standards bylaw in Hyndburn? Just curious. The City of Kingston has one, and the Queen's University Alma Mater Society also keeps an eye on student rentals. Each year they hand out the less than coveted Golden Cockroach award to the worst landlord.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

"Many years":confused: Many wouldn't be about 13 would it;):D

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

No a bloody sight longer than that:tongueout

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Talking of landlords Overnight Sunday, my smoke alarm kept bleeping, was driving me nuts, every 20 seconds or so beep, beep, beep. Rang HH at 9-15 yesterday morning, said they would get it sorted, 1-30pm lecky arrives and replaces the offending little bleeper, can't complain about that

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Yes, you're very lucky no one snapped up your very nice home, when Maggie was floggin' 'em off cheap.

:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Flats for disabled people were never in the mix;)

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Were they built for that use? I didn't think they were.

Either way, I'm sure you'll concede the point that well built homes, with a first rate service when you need a repair, are great.

Sadly the same can't be said of some homes in the area, whose landlords aren't quite as keen on their tennant's health and safety.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Couldn't agree more G

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

No they weren't, I can't understand the mind set of folk living in a high rise tower block buying their place either, but some did.
:confused:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Have you ever been in tower block Less, I wouldn't live in one of them rent free, once stayed on the 14 floor of a tower in Edmonton in the sixties, never again:eek:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Oh ... all the way back to Keir Hardie, eh:eek::D

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Edmonton, Alberta:confused:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Although if you bought your high-rise former council flat in central London, you'd be laughing all the way to the bank.

If it was the bank of Tel Aviv, you might even bump in to Dame Shirley Porter.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

No Edmonton Norf london mate:D

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Shirley, nice lass, knew her mate Jerry Mander:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

...and I suppose you knew Shirl's old dad. Gerry Attrick.

Boom, boom.

:p

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Ah, happy days.

You know where you stood with the greedy, grasping, old style Tories.

None of this caring/sharing, take your hoodie off, and let me give you a hug, pretence and nonsense.

:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Ya and the good old Labour Party, instead of the new caring sharing Tony Blair inspired, NEW LABOUR, :D

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

Which middle England happily bought into, apparently.

Judging from the historic landslide, we (the non-partisan political observers) saw in '97.

;)

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

And now they are paying the price exactly as was predicted:p

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I've posted before, as economists, they were idiots.

That doesn't take away anything from them bringing in legislation which has meant greater legal equality for many, and therefore a fairer society, than we've ever had before.

That cost nothing.

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

The Idea is to get the economy right or every thing else you do is worth absolutely nothing

Re: BBC Breakfast News in Accrington - Private Landlords
 

As stated, righting unjust laws costs nothing.

Also as stated, as economists they were hopeless, in thinking the boom would never become bust, as it always does.

The economic scorched earth spending policy they undertook, knowing the election would more than likely be lost, was unforgivable.