The following courses are available upon request, please get in touch for more information.

 

Gaining possession of Assured and Assured Shorthold tenancies (AST)

Many social landlords offer Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) in addition to Assured tenancies. This may often be as a starter tenancy or as part of their mainstream housing provision. This course aims to provide an understanding of how to terminate Assured tenancies by serving notice on grounds. We will also then explore the many ‘hoops’ that landlords need to jump through in order to be able to validly serve S21 notices to terminate AST.

Since obtaining possession of a property is a three-step process, we will then explore how to apply to court for a possession order and finally how to obtain a bailiffs warrant.  We will cover the nitty gritty of the court process, which forms to complete, how to commence action and what to expect. It is delivered by Carrie Kus who has a wealth of experience both in commencing court action as a landlord and letting agent herself, but also from years of defending possession proceedings in court on behalf of tenants.

The recent government white paper is of course set to make sweeping changes to the AST regime, so we will consider what this will look like for landlords and how they can plan for the changes.

This course carries 5 CPD points.   

Objectives

• Identify the different uses of Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST)
• Explore S8 and S21 notices and when it is appropriate to serve either notice depending on the tenancy type and whether the tenancy is fixed term or periodic
• Explore the existing laws on S8 and the mandatory and discretionary grounds.
• How the White Paper will make changes to grounds for possession
• Understand the many requirements that need to be met in order to serve a valid S21 notice.
• How landlords will operate in a market without S21
• Explore the accelerated possession proceedings and when it is appropriate to use this process in court. We will consider how to apply, the court forms and what to expect in regard to timescales and correspondence.
• Explore the standard route to possession, when it is used and the key differences between the standard route and accelerated.
• What to expect from a hearing and how to present a case to court to achieve the best outcome.
• Tenant’s defences and how to prepare for them.
• The types of orders the courts can make.
• How to obtain a bailiff’s warrant for eviction and what to expect on the day of the eviction.

Your trainer

This course is delivered by Carrie Kus. Carrie has 18 years experience in the housing sector and is a seasoned trainer and public speaker. She began her housing career as a case worker for Shelter whilst at the same time building her own property portfolio. She then progressed to owning her own Letting Agency alongside a successful Training and Consultancy company. She held a board position as Non-Executive Director for the Residential Landlords Association for 5 years. This gives her the insight of working for, and on behalf of, both tenants and landlords throughout her career which brings interesting stories and anecdotes to her training from both sides of the fence.

Suitable for

This course is beneficial for Housing Associations, Housing Cooperatives, Charities and other organisations that offer Assured or Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST). It is essential learning for those frontline officers who are managing problem tenants and terminating tenancies. But, it is also essential for those who set up tenancies and draft tenancy documents.

Delivery Method

Classroom or e-classroom

Course Timing

10am – 4pm

 

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

In recent years we have seen a rise in HMO in both the private and social sectors – it offers an affordable housing solution for many and when provided by social landlords, it may also be in tandem with support packages. Managing HMO comes with increased regulation, both in terms of the standards of the property and the management functions. This session identifies some of the key difference with managing HMO in comparison to single lets and how landlords can ensure compliance with the stringent health and safety standards.

This course carries 5 CPD points.   

Objectives

• Understand the definition of HMO and licensing requirements
• Understand HMO Management Regulations and the additional layer of obligations placed on landlords
• The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and what a category 1 hazard looks like
• The likely impact of the Fitness Act
• Introduction to Fire safety principles
• Understand amenity standards, minimum room sizes and licence conditions
• Know the additional fire safety requirements of HMO
• Explore some of the management issues with HMO and how to overcome them.

Your trainer

This course is delivered by Carrie Kus. Carrie has 18 years experience in the housing sector and is a seasoned trainer and public speaker. She began her housing career as a case worker for Shelter whilst at the same time building her own property portfolio. She then progressed to owning her own Letting Agency alongside a successful Training and Consultancy company. She held a board position as Non-Executive Director for the Residential Landlords Association for 5 years. This gives her the insight of working for, and on behalf of, both tenants and landlords throughout her career which brings interesting stories and anecdotes to her training from both sides of the fence.

Suitable for

Front line housing staff operating in the HMO market or those considering entering the market.

Delivery Method

Classroom or e-classroom

Course Timing

10am – 4pm

 

Repairs and Health and safety in residential property

Dealing with repairs and ensuring homes are healthy and safe environments for our tenants is one of the key cornerstones of managing residential property. Yet there is a myriad of obligations placed on landlords from several pieces of legislation. This course aims to unravel this legislation and understand how this fits in with the recent government white paper.

This course carries 5 CPD points.   

Objectives

• Outline existing Health and Safety legislation applicable to the PRS
• Understand S11 Landlord and Tenant Act repairing obligations
• Explore the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and how to inspect for and manage hazards
• Know the new obligations placed on landlords through the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act
• Understand case law arising from Defective Premises Act
• Understand the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
• How the fire safety Act 2021 will affect current practices
• Overview of the white paper and how this effects current practices
• Overview of key elements of the Buildings Safety Bill and how this impacts on the management of residential property
• Sharing best practice to incorporate all legislative obligation

Your trainer

This course is delivered by Carrie Kus. Carrie has 18 years experience in the housing sector and is a seasoned trainer and public speaker. She began her housing career as a case worker for Shelter whilst at the same time building her own property portfolio. She then progressed to owning her own Letting Agency alongside a successful Training and Consultancy company. She held a board position as Non-Executive Director for the Residential Landlords Association for 5 years. This gives her the insight of working for, and on behalf of, both tenants and landlords throughout her career which brings interesting stories and anecdotes to her training from both sides of the fence.

Suitable for

This course is beneficial for Housing Associations, Housing Cooperatives, Charities and other organisations that offer Assured or Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST). It is essential learning for those frontline officers who are managing problem tenants and terminating tenancies. But, it is also essential for those who set up tenancies and draft tenancy documents.

Delivery Method

Classroom or e-classroom

Course Timing

10am – 4pm