INFORMATION
There are many benefits to being a member of Gateshead Private Landlords Association. These include:-
- Vetting of Tenants. The Association is part of the Private Rented Sector Team which has four Tenancy Relations Officers working within it. These Officers vet potential tenants for members of the Association providing the applicable forms are completed in full and signed by the tenant. The vetting includes a check of the past 5 years of rental history along with any anti-social behaviour incidents and in some cases a full police check.
- Provision of detailed tenancy agreement and tenants pack. Once a tenant has been satisfactorily vetted, we provide a detailed tenancy agreement with a copy for the tenant and a counter part for the landlord which comes in a folder to be given to the tenant which contains information on being a responsible tenant.
- Advertising of properties. The Association produces a property list of all members available properties. This list is sent to Council Departments, Rent Service, local colleges, libraries and community centres etc. Any tenants looking for a property to rent regularly call into or telephone our office for an updated property list.As well as the property list, members with Accredited properties also have their available properties advertised on our website.
- Assistance with Eviction. As well as running regular courses on how to legally evict a tenant, the Association's Development Officer will assist members in correctly completing eviction forms and court papers.
- Discount Scheme. A scheme has been set up with a number of local businesses offering their goods and services at discounted rates to members of the Association. Service Level Agreements have been signed with all of the participants of the scheme
- Group Insurance scheme. An insurance scheme has been set up for a number of years with a company who offers members of the Association excellent competitive rates. A lot of members have reported that they have saved more than the price of their Association joining fee by switching to this insurance company when they become members.
- Tax Investigation Scheme Cover. Any Landlord could be subject to a tax investigation by the Inland Revenue at any time. Included in the membership fee is £7.50 which is payable by the Association for each member to give them Tax Investigation Scheme cover with the same company who provides our Group Insurance Scheme.
- Private Medical Insurance. A fully comprehensive private medical scheme has been set up for members with extremely competitive rates.
- Training Courses. Five training courses per year are offered to members and includes topics such as Eviction, Illegal Eviction, Drugs Awareness, Dealing with Difficult Situations, How to Successfully Manage a Tenancy and Welfare Benefits, to name but a few.
- Updates on new legislation. Members are regularly informed about any changes in Housing Law or updates on any relevant information applicable to them.
- Direct links to Council, Police, Neighbourhood Wardens etc. Assistance with welfare benefit problems. A direct link has been set up between the Development Officer and Welfare Benefits and if any member has a problem with one of their tenants and their benefit this can be accessed and the problem often resolved quicker.
- Support of Development Officer, Accreditation Officers and Tenancy Relations Officers. As well as the Development Officer who works full time for the Association assisting the members and promoting the Association, there are two Accreditation Officers who will inspect the property for accreditation purposes along with assisting with any queries about property standards. There are also four Tenancy Relations Officers who, as well as vetting potential tenants for members, will assist them with any anti-social problems they should have with their own tenants or any others in surrounding properties.