Show Notes
This month we invite you to enjoy a very special episode of Listen Up Landlords, marking International Women's Day. International Women's Day, which is celebrated annually on 8th March, is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of women, while highlighting discrimination and calling for gender equality. Not only do we introduce you to three truly inspirational NRLA members, but we are also unveiling our new video format for the first time. Ben and Richard meet Hasmita Reardon, Lorraine Thomas and Mandy St John Davey MBE, to hear about their property journeys and achievements, and what they are doing to support and inspire women in property. Meet the guests Hasmita Reardon Hasmita arrived in the UK as a refugee in 1972 at just 11 years old, with little more than the clothes on her back. She bought her first properties from a small inheritance and now has a portfolio of more than 60 homes. She ran her own property management company, Reardons and has set up a charity supporting victims of domestic violence, New Leaf Support. New Leaf offers a full range of support for women leaving abusive relationships – with Hasmita using some of her own properties to house those who might not meet the eligibility criteria for a place in a women's refuge. She also converted her former family home into a children's home, once her own sons flew the nest. She talks about how her experience of homelessness inspired her to invest and support those in need of help. Lorraine Thomas Property developer, investor and mentor Lorraine Thomas is another landlord with a social conscience. She made her first foray into the world of property after leaving a career in the legal sector, with her first role finding accommodation for disadvantaged young adults. Shocked by some of the conditions she encountered, she decided to enter the world of property development and in 2016 set up View from my Window, a property development and management company with a focus on providing affordable housing for disadvantaged tenants. Lorraine is also a property mentor and creates joint ventures between group mentees to encourage them to invest, as well as going into schools to encourage more women and girls into the industry. She talks to us about how lifting others is at the core of her business and shares her advice when it comes to succeeding in property. Mandy St John Davey MBE We also talk to Mandy St John Davey MBE about her property journey. Mandy, who was recently named on a list of the world's top 10 self-made women entrepreneurs by global tech giant Microsoft, was recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours List for her dedication to supporting and mentoring women in property. A former Chair of 'Women in Property', which creates opportunities, expands knowledge and inspires change for women working in property and construction industry, she has long championed the importance of female role models and networks. She talks about how she started out and grew her business internationally as well as talking about her work as an industry mentor. We are also joined by our chief marketing officer Carla Johnson, who fills us in on the NRLA's International Women's Day event which will take place next Thursday, March 5th. More information You can listen and watch the podcast via the NRLA website here, by clicking the banner below, or via your preferred streaming service. To watch the video, you will need to tune in from Spotify or watch on YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please spread the word on your social media channels using the hashtag #listenuplandlords. For all podcast enquiries email [email protected] ACCREDITATION: You can now pick up a CPD point to be used towards NRLA accreditation by listening to the podcast. To log your point, visit the accreditation dashboard in the 'Your Account' section of the NRLA website. Select 'Other' then 'NRLA Podcast' from the dropdown menu. To read a full transcript of the show click here. Video
More from Listen Up Landlords podcast
The regional rollout of the new landlord database, to be introduced under phase two of the Renters' Rights Act, will begin in December this year. Following the announcement, we look at what you will need to do to comply with the rules, as well as the costs involved and financial penalties for getting things wrong. Later in the show we look ahead to the Autumn Budget, which will be announced on October 28th, examining the challenges faced by chancellor John Healey and outlining our calls to Government - positive changes that will encourage landlords to stay in the market and continue to invest. We also talk to our advice team about the calls coming in to the landlord support line this month. Meet the guests
With this summer on course to be one of the hottest since records began, we look at your responsibilities when it comes to your rental properties and keeping tenants cool. In addition to the impact of excess heat, we look at the practical, low-costs steps you can take to keep the temperatures down – as well as questions over whether moves to improve the energy efficiency of rental homes could make them hotter. Later in the show we look at the impact the Renters' Rights Act has had on agents and their fee structures, with the end of the fixed terms also meaning the end of renewal charges. We examine the ways agents have approached the changes and new rent management services on offer – with a move to a monthly, rather than up-front fees. Meet the guests Ben and Richard are joined by Matthew Scott, policy manager at the Chartered institute of Housing (CIH) which is running a cross-sector campaign on overheating in homes with the National Housing Federation and Henry Davis – a developer and NRLA trainer – who talks about the practical steps you can take to tackle the issue. Elsewhere in the show we talk to Theresa Wallace, chair of The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) about how agents are responding to the Renters' Rights Act, with the NRLA's Hannah Keyon joining us to talk about the calls coming in to the landlord support team this month. How to watch You can listen and watch the podcast via the NRLA website, or your preferred streaming service. To watch the video, you will need to tune in on Spotify or watch on YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please spread the word on your social media channels using the hashtag #listenuplandlords. For all podcast enquiries email [email protected] ACCREDITATION: You can now pick up a CPD point to be used towards NRLA accreditation by listening to the podcast. To log your point, visit the accreditation dashboard in the 'Your Account' section of the NRLA website. Select 'Other' then 'NRLA Podcast' from the dropdown menu. More information For more detail on hot homes and how to tackle them click here. To find out more about The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) click here. Excess heat is recognised is listed as a risk under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which defines the hazard as 'threats from excessively high indoor air temperatures'. We have created a new checklist to help you make sure your homes are compliant. The comprehensive 31-page document includes a tick list and guidance notes on what to look out for. You can find this, and more about HHSRS and your responsibilities in our members' guide here. The NRLA also runs a property standards and safety course outlining your obligations, which has been updated to include the new rules. To find out more and to book your place click here. To find out more about the CIH and NHF campaign click here. Listen Up Landlords is brought to you by the NRLA. Hosted by: Ben Beadle & Richard Blanco Produced by: Sally Walmsley Video Production: Alexandra Southerington
With Andy Burnham becoming the new Prime Minister this week and Anglela Rayner returning as Housing Secretary, we look at the new PM's record on rented homes – and ask what this could mean for the sector. We find out more about the NRLA's new knowledge hubs, offering tailored content to reflect your personal property journey, and later look at the revised Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) rules. With new £7,000 on-the-spot fines for getting it wrong, we examine how the scheme will operate in practice – and how to ensure you are compliant. Meet the guests We talk to our chief policy officer Chris Norris, who has worked alongside Andy Burnham on the board of the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, alongside national journalist and finance expert Sarah Davidson. They explore what we can expect to see from the new PM and his track record when it comes to the private rented sector. Sarah is Metro's award-winning consumer champion and money expert, specialising in personal finance, business, property and consumer affairs. In the latter part of the show we are joined by Ali Thomas, a former project manager for the HHSRS review at environmental health specialist firm RHE Global. She talks about what has changed, what this means for landlords and how to ensure you are compliant. We are also joined by our very own head of brand and content Alexandra Ly who guides us through the new Knowledge Hubs and how to get the most from them. How to watch You can listen and watch the podcast via the NRLA website, or your preferred streaming service. To watch the video, you will need to tune in on Spotify or watch on YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please spread the word on your social media channels using the hashtag #listenuplandlords. For all podcast enquiries email [email protected] ACCREDITATION: You can now pick up a CPD point to be used towards NRLA accreditation by listening to the podcast. To log your point, visit the accreditation dashboard in the 'Your Account' section of the NRLA website. Select 'Other' then 'NRLA Podcast' from the dropdown menu. More information · We have created a new checklist to help you make sure your homes are compliant. The comprehensive 31-page document includes a tick list and guidance notes on what to look out for. You can find this, and more about HHSRS and your responsibilities in our members' guide here. · The NRLA also runs a property standards and safety course outlining your obligations, which has been updated to include the new rules. To find out more and to book your place click here. · Our knew knowledge hubs can be accessed here: First time landlord, Property investment, Tenancy management and Property management and maintenance. · To find out more about RHE Global click here. Listen Up Landlords is brought to you by the NRLA. Hosted by: Ben Beadle & Richard Blanco Produced by: Sally Walmsley Video Production: Alexandra Southerington
With the first phase of the Renters' Rights Act now in force we look at how landlords are responding to the new regulatory landscape. In the first part of the show we ask whether landlords are moving towards shorter term rentals as a result of the new Act and – with the loss of section 21 making it harder to get vacant possession – whether more landlord are looking to buy and sell with tenants in situ. We also take a look at how the changes coming in under the Act are impacting HMO landlords, many of whom believe they will be disproportionately affected by the changes. Meet the guests We talk to Merilee Karr, founding chair of the Short Term Accommodation Association and CEO of short-term rentals company UnderTheDoormat Group about whether landlords are turning to short term rentals as a result of the Act. We also ask James Donohue, founder of Landlord Property Exchange, a platform allowing landlords to buy and sell homes with tenants in situ, whether interest has increased now it is more challenging to get vacant possession. And we speak to HMO landlord Lucy Lea, Managing Director of LEA Property Solutions about how she and other landlords like her are managing the changes coming in, specifically new rules on pets and children in HMO properties. We also hear from Theresa Wallace, chair of The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) about its new partnership with the NRLA. How to watch You can listen and watch the podcast via the NRLA website or your preferred streaming service. To watch the video, you will need to tune in on Spotify or watch on YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please spread the word on your social media channels using the hashtag #listenuplandlords. For all podcast enquiries email [email protected] ACCREDITATION: You can now pick up a CPD point to be used towards NRLA accreditation by listening to the podcast. To log your point, visit the accreditation dashboard in the 'Your Account' section of the NRLA website. Select 'Other' then 'NRLA Podcast' from the dropdown menu. Listen Up Landlords is brought to you by the NRLA. Hosted by: Ben Beadle & Richard Blanco Produced by: Sally Walmsley Video Production: Alexandra Southerington
The Government reiterated its commitment to leasehold reform in last month's King's Speech, with pledges to cap ground rents and abolish new leasehold flats – but how will this work in practice? This month's podcast looks at what the Government is proposing – and potential sticking points with plans as they stand. With the first phase of the Renters' Rights Act coming into force last month, we also take a look at the new section 8 grounds landlords will need to use to take possession of their properties. The 37 grounds cover everything from selling the property to arrears and anti-social behaviour and we examine what they cover, how to use them and the evidence you are likely to need to provide. We also hear more about the calls coming in to the NRLA landlord support team over the last month. Meet the guests We speak to Roger Southam, former chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) and NRLA chief policy officer Chris Norris to get their take on the Government's proposed Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act. Carly Jermyn, property dispute specialst and managing director of Woodstock Solicitors (www.woodstocklegalservices.co.uk) joins us to talk through the revised section 8 grounds, how they are likely to be interpreted and the potential implications for landlords, with NRLA training and development officer Hannah Kenyon discussing members' questions when it comes to assured periodic tenancies. You can listen and watch the podcast via the NRLA website or your preferred streaming service. To watch the video, you will need to tune in on Spotify or watch on YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please spread the word on your social media channels using the hashtag #listenuplandlords. For all podcast enquiries email [email protected] ACCREDITATION: You can now pick up a CPD point to be used towards NRLA accreditation by listening to the podcast. To log your point, visit the accreditation dashboard in the 'Your Account' section of the NRLA website. Select 'Other' then 'NRLA Podcast' from the dropdown menu. Listen Up Landlords is brought to you by the NRLA. Hosted by: Ben Beadle & Richard Blanco Produced by: Sally Walmsley Video Production: Alexandra Southerington