Landlord Mick Roberts has hit out at Nottingham Council officers for failing to understand housing law and deterring others from trying to help tenants in need.

Roberts says confusion arose when he tried to sell one of his houses to another landlord, who had a tenant lined up. She had been homeless for 18 months and was due to get help from the council for her deposit and first month’s rent.

However, he says the new landlord was first incorrectly told that the legal gas certificate wasn’t valid, when this had been done the previous year within the two-month deadline before expiring. Roberts had to explain Gas Safety Regulations, which officers acknowledged.

They then said Roberts needed a selective licence, so he was forced to tell them that landlords don’t need one if they don’t have a tenant. “The new landlord didn’t need a licence until he’d bought the house, but the council tried to get us both to do a selective licence at £900 each,” he tells LandlordZONE.

Obstacles

“It feels like the council are fighting an eviction and putting obstacles in our way rather than supporting us in trying to find someone a home.”

Roberts says constant communication with officials is exhausting and fears that with 10 Section 21s needing to be served in the next month, he will face similar headaches.

“Staff evidently still don’t understand legislation – it’s a constant battle, and this took several emails and hours of phone calls and disagreements” he adds. “It completely puts landlords off trying to help homeless tenants if they need council help.”

Spokesman

A council spokesman tells LandlordZONE: “Our officers are clear on the relevant legislation and worked proactively with all parties to resolve minor inaccuracies in the paperwork through ongoing dialogue.

“A selective licence is required where a property is to be let, and as the new landlord intends to rent the property, an application will be necessary. As a local authority we must be satisfied that properties have necessary licences and compliance checks in place. We will always work constructively with landlords and partners to support people into safe and suitable accommodation.”

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