Housing Options Landlords' Consultation

Proposal

Why are we consulting with landlords?

Many people come to us asking for help to find a home, but we're only able to offer accommodation to a small number of people. In many cases, their housing need could be provided through the private rented sector.  Landlords can play a vital role in helping us to reduce homelessness. Our goal is to engage landlords in the promotion of successful tenancies which benefit people who need rental housing.

The aim of this survey is to learn more about Shropshire's landlords and explore how we might work together with our partners in the community to improve housing options for everyone.

Who is a landlord?

Anyone who receives payments to have individuals live at a property or part of a property they own or manage (even if you also live at the property). These payments may come from any source and can be for various types of accommodations (ie bedsitting rooms, personal care/community care homes, individuals with apartments, emergency shelters etc).

Before any decisions can be taken, or a future policy developed, we need to understand the views of landlords and letting agents, the public and local services and organisations. This consultation is designed to obtain this important feedback.

What do we hope to achieve?

Through this consultation, we aim to collect information that will allow the development of a new incentive scheme that is designed:

• To assist households that are looking for properties in the private rented sector
• To benefit landlords who let a property to people who have approached us for housing assistance
• To reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation and provide families with good quality, long term sustainable housing

There are many potential tenants in Shropshire who may have had issues from their past that could keep them from being approved for accommodation. Unfortunately, many of these people end up homeless, in hospital, in temporary accommodation or other unstable housing, sometimes repeatedly. We hope that the incentive scheme will help to support these people to find a home in the private rented sector and bring peace of mind to landlords if they accept a tenant referred by us.

When will the consultation close?

The consultation will run until 31 January 2020.

Which methods of engagement are being used?

Within the consultation period a mixed method of engagement will be used to obtain as much feedback as possible. Engagement opportunities include:

• Feedback surveys for:
  • landlords and letting agents
  • stakeholders (eg services within the public sector, voluntary sector, town and parish councils etc)
• Individual meetings with key stakeholders (available on request)

Who will be involved in the consultation?

We'll be promoting the consultation as widely as possible to obtain a diversity of views. We'll also take steps to ensure the following stakeholder groups are made aware of how they can participate in the consultation:

• Existing landlords in Shropshire, including:

• Private landlords
• Letting agents
• Registered social landlords

How can I get involved?

You can complete a short survey by clicking on the 'How to get involved' tab on this page. It should take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete depending on how many comments you make.

You can also provide feedback by email. Please title your email Housing Options Landlords Consultation and email: TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk

You can also provide any comments or other documents for consideration by writing to:

Housing Options Landlords Consultation 2019, c/o Shropshire Council, Feedback and Insight Team (1L23), Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND.

Throughout the consultation we'll be promoting feedback opportunities through this website, social media channels and articles within local newsletters and other publications.

How will the feedback be used?

Your feedback will be used to develop a proposal for the development of a Landlord Incentive Scheme. The proposal will be presented to the Housing Services Management Team for a decision. Work will be undertaken to frame our landlord engagement plans moving forward, as well as to identify strengths, challenges and opportunities.

What other evidence will be used to inform the Landlord Incentive Scheme?

Work has been taking place to gather together a wide range of evidence, including national research and guidance and data from other local authority incentive schemes. This information, added to the feedback obtained through the consultation, will help to inform future decision making.

To find out more please email TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk