tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377446.post113835520589906309..comments2024-03-05T17:55:58.806+00:00Comments on Nanny Knows Best: Nanny's Bully BoysKen Frosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13568488818950912374noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377446.post-1138361637857425752006-01-27T11:33:00.000+00:002006-01-27T11:33:00.000+00:00You ask "If anyone actually knows what the ODPM is...You ask "If anyone actually knows what the ODPM is actually on this planet for, please can they enlighten the rest of us". Well, I can shed light on one of their great ideas shortly to spring forth.<BR/><BR/>Many owners of residential properties which are rented out will, as from April, have to be licensed with the local council, have a police record check done on them for public records (both landlords if it is a husband and wife, for instance), and pay a licence fee for each property for the privelege of renting it out, and they are on pain of a £20,000 fine if they aren't licensed plus a confiscation of rents received.<BR/><BR/>Their deposits, which landlords have traditionally held pending satisfactory return of their property in a good condition, will soon have to be held by a third party, paid for by the landlord.<BR/><BR/>Great idea, I hear all those who rent properties utter, keep those beastly landlords under control.<BR/><BR/>Problem is, the landlords who have to be licensed are those who own properties considered to be 'Houses of Multiple Occupation' amongst others (such as houses on three stories, includinging houses over shops etc etc). Incidentally, not a breath about this on the TV news, much too dull stuff for the average 'great unwashed' to have to be told.<BR/><BR/>Now traditionally this sort of property is rented out to low paid people, possibly unemployed, maybe some have social problems, certainly some may be youngsters who cannot afford to buy a home of their own - just to name some categories. One of my clients is facing a potential 'licence' cost of around £4,000, but who will eventually have to pay for this increased cost? Yup - his tenants!!<BR/><BR/>Also, how many landlords will think "Oh bugger this, I'll do something else with the house"? So we shall see less of this sort of rented property, so again rents will increase, the laws of supply and demand, which are far too difficult for Prescott to comprehend.<BR/><BR/>So is this ODPM shower too stupid to see this?? Hmmm, well, perhaps, they, as is usual with New Labour, know best. However, it is certainly not helping to create "sustainable communities" though, is it??spivhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13404364711838124485noreply@blogger.com