Local Practice Resource - template
Local practice resource –Devon initiative to improve practice in the private rented sector (PRS)Provider: Citizens advice Plymouth
Brief description of the local practice
Outline problem/issue:Problems with the private rented sector; the need to raise awareness of renters rights, tackle rogue landlords and address issues around letting agent practices.
Response to problem:
Citizens Advice Plymouth lead on this Devon initiative to improve PRS
Citizens Advice Plymouth used some transitional CEP funding to work with Devon Research and Campaigns group on facilitating and promoting work with Trading Standards and local authority private rental teams.
The forum worked together to plan and put on a one day conference attended by local Citizens Advice Service managers and campaigners, private rented housing officers from the local authorities and a Trading Standards Officer from the county council.
The conference included presentations (attached) from Exeter and Plymouth City Councils about work they are doing with Citizens Advice to make improvements in the private rental sector, and discussions on developing partnership work to raise awareness of renters rights, tackle rogue landlords and address issues around letting agent practices.
Each attendee made a pledge for action before leaving. Pledges included:
* Meeting up to discuss setting up a private sector rental forum in East Devon
* Setting up a database of letting agents and practices across the county
* Creating short videos on renters rights for use on social media (dependent on resources).
Citizens Advice services from Plymouth and Exeter contributed research on letting agents fees. Plymouth lead the planning and evaluation of the event and gave administrative support and funding.
Outcome measurement/indicators: how will adoption of practice be measured and what is the expected outcome:
Improve practices and coordinate successful partnership working
Two of the ten local authorities invited have subsequently used the findings of the letting agents research to plan and launch enforcement action against letting agents who are not legally compliant in their fee charging practices and two local authorities have entered discussions with their local Citizens Advice office on partnership working to improve the private renting sector.
Contact details for further information:
Alanna Cohen, Research and Campaigns, Citizens Advice Plymouth
01752 241082
Date of publication: Oct 2016
Ref:
Review date [12 months from publication]: Oct 2017