Summer Landlord Conference 2024 - Private Rented Services Newcastle

On Wednesday 10th July we held our Summer Landlord Conference at Newcastle Falcons.

We had 5 great speakers covering a range of topics aimed at updating and helping landlords with all things rental property based. Alongside this we had over 20 businesses exhibiting with us from locksmiths to estate planning and lots in between.

First up was Victoria Valentine from Landlord Action. She gave a great update on the current state of evictions and the things landlords need to look out for when issuing notices and going to court. With the general election not far behind us, updates on renter's reform were uncertain but Victoria gave some information on what Labour proposes to do in the private sector such as abolishing section 21s and introducing Awaab's law. Slides on the full presentation here.

Next up we had Laura Mawson from England Illegal Money Lending team providing us with information on loan sharks and the signs to look out for. With the current economic climate, more people are seeking financial support and it was great to get an insight into the kinds of things to look out for with tenants who may take out loans from unlicensed individuals. These individuals often target properties to force clients to pay back money, so the more landlords know, the easier it will be to make sure illegal money lenders are reported before their properties are put at risk. Full presentation here.

Finishing the morning off, we had Bruce Haagensen from GB Landlords give us key guidance on how to choose a reputable agent and the things you should be thinking of when entering into a contract with a letting agent. From checking they are registered with a property ombudsman to asking what services and checks they will provide, it was great to hear about different things you should take into consideration when shopping around for an agent to help you manage your properties. Full presentation here.

After a break for lunch and more networking with the exhibitors, we introduced Paul Hampton from Approved Mortgage Solutions to give an update on mortgages. He spoke about the new rates and also provided information on light refurbishment products to help you refurbish a property before letting it and green products on offer for those meeting A, B, and sometimes C ratings with their EPC. Full presentation here.

To end the day, Ben Holmes from Aspray spoke about why you should use a loss adjustor for any insurance claims. He stressed the importance of making sure you have given the right value-at-risk (the amount it would cost to rebuild your property) amount to the insurance companies so that they do not refuse to pay out your claim. He also showed us some case studies on successful outcomes for his clients when using a loss adjustor to reinstate their properties into their original condition. Full presentation here.