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Friday, 20 December 2019

Advice for Renters of London Borough of Brent December 2019 Newsletter

I am republishing this here from https://mailchi.mp/e9af43fe0c94/merry-christmas-and-a-happy-new-year-from-a4r to help illustrate the fact that council funds can and should be used to help restore socio-economic justice.

It also contains information about national UK — or at least England & Wales — housing legislation that private tenants in other local authorities can apply to their area.

Advice4Renters December 2019 Newsletter
Starfish in tank observes star on top of Xmas tree and comments: "Now, THAT'S gotta hurt..."
From everyone at Advice4Renters
We would like to wish all of our readers, clients and supporters...
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

In this edition...

We are looking forward to 2020 and the legal changes that are coming up;
  • If you signed a tenancy agreement before 20 March 2019, after 20 March 2020 you can use the Homes Fitness for Habitation Act 2019 (unless you sign a new tenancy or your tenancy becomes a monthly rolling contract). However, you should still contact your local council if you are worried about conditions in your home. They have powers to take action on your behalf, at no cost to you.
  • ...and we flagged this up in our last newsletter but the government have been looking at ways to end of section 21 no-fault evictions. If they can get this right it could mean a huge shift in the way tenants are treated.  Roll on 2020!
Its cold out there, and at this time our thoughts turn to people sleeping on the streets. If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, send an alert to StreetLink by visiting www.streetlink.org.uk, via the mobile app, available for Apple and Android devices, or by calling 0300 500 0914. 
 

2020 Resolutions 

You probably haven’t started to think about New Year Resolutions yet, but take it from us, the guilt about the amount of booze and plum pudding will raise its head on 1st January, so we thought we help by giving you some suggestions.

First, for all private renters, 
“I won’t wait until my landlord is threatening to evict me; I will give Advice4Renters a call at the first sign of trouble so they can help me to nip it in the bud.”

For the landlords who read our newsletter (believe me there are some…)
“I’ll get my surveyor to check for any disrepair as soon as they can, and I’ll get things fixed promptly to make sure that my tenants are warm and dry in their homes.  The only cold thing will be my RENT FREEZE.”

For our voluntary sector partners,
“We resolve to look at how we can work more closely together in 2020, learning more about who provides what services, and making sure that residents who come to us, know how to access other services beyond our own remit”

For our local Councillors,
“We will not only support the voluntary sector, and listen to what they say, we will address the changes that they suggest are needed, which are not all dependent on resources, but will often save the Council time and money.”

For Council Officers,
“I resolve to accept that when A4R criticise us, it’s because they care passionately about getting a better deal for private renters, and I will work with them to see how we can address their concerns.”
To our great team of volunteers (and potential volunteers):
“I will start, or I will continue, to give a few hours a week to helping Advice4Renters with their valuable work, because I believe in their cause, but also because it’s fun.”

For all our wonderful grant funders,
“We will continue to support the voluntary sector and will remember that the number of disadvantaged groups in the private rented sector is growing every year, and they need more support.”
 
For any potential donors who receive our newsletter (regular readers please share!),
“I resolve to support vulnerable low income renters throughout the year by donating to Advice4Renters!”

Err... That’s enough Resolutions, Ed.
Have a very happy New Year!

Jacky.


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