News

Lettings agents from all over the north gathered in York this week for the first Northern Conference of the National Approved Letting Scheme.

Over 70 delegates gathered to share best practice, discuss the big issues affecting the Private Rented Sector (PRS), and how the industry can further protect consumers.

Central to the full day’s programme was a strong speaker line-up including Ruth Abbott, Housing Standards and Adaptations Manager at City of York Council.

Ruth Abbott outlined ways in which York was pro-actively working on processes to improve city housing stock, and ensure good conditions for tenants. She revealed that the Council would shortly be undertaking extensive research into the housing situation in the local area.

Ruth Abbott went onto talk about the courses that City of York Council had run to educate landlords on the key compliance issues around letting to multiple occupants.

Delegates also heard from the National Landlords Association speaker Lesley Fenton on the new Government Right to Rent Scheme being piloted in the West Midlands where agents and landlords are required to ensure that they are compliant with immigration requirements when renting to new tenants.

Speaking about the Conference, Isobel Thomson, NALS CEO, said:

“The inaugural Conference has been a great success and we warmly welcomed Ruth Abbott’s presentation which gave a fascinating insight into the approach of City of York Council to property rental within their area.

It was also invaluable in looking at how, as an industry, we can all work together to ensure consistent standards of service for consumers. We look forward to making our Northern Conference an annual event.”

Thank you to Endsleigh Insurance, our main sponsors, for their support of this landmark event.

Date for your diaries: The NALS London Conference will be taking place on 12th November 2015 at the Mermaid Theatre.

NALS is the National Approved Letting Scheme, a not for profit licensing scheme for lettings and management agents operating in the Private Rented Sector.