Scammers ‘Making Millions’ Off Desperate Renters

With more and more tenants seeking out private landlords online and cutting out the traditional letting agent, scammers and bogus landlords have been making millions by targeting desperate renters. These scammers pose as landlords and post fake adverts on classified ad sites and other free-to-list platforms, then attempt to convince potential tenants to transfer a holding deposit or up-front fee – (often over £1,000) to secure the property without ever having seen it in person. New YouGov research from TheHouseShop.com shows that consumers are becoming more aware of the dangers and are now demanding better security checks on the platforms they use to search for property online. Read more on 24housing.

Increase In 'Hostile Measures' To Stop Rough Sleeping

Six in ten rough sleepers in England and Wales have seen an increase in “hostile measures” to stop them sleeping in public areas over the past year, research by homelessness charity Crisis has revealed. Of the more than 450 homeless people surveyed by Crisis, 60% reported an increase in deterrents such as spikes, gated doorways and noise pollution. Meanwhile 35% said they were unable to find anywhere to sleep as a result. A fifth of those polled said they were subjected to “deliberate noise pollution”, such as loud music or recorded bird song and traffic sounds, which made it hard to sleep. Almost two thirds – 63% – reported an increase in wardens and security guards in public spaces. Read more on the Crisis website.

Homeless Schemes To Benefit From New Help-To-Rent Fund

Crisis has announced the first beneficiaries of a £150,000 fund intended to support projects working to help people who are – or at risk of becoming – homeless. Five UK housing projects have been chosen to benefit from the Help-to-Rent fund, which has been commissioned by Crisis. The funding will help the projects to continue their work to help single homeless people to find long-term solutions to their homelessness, the charity said. The winners were announced to delegates attending Crisis’, ‘The Private Rented Sector – A Home For All?’ conference. Funded by the Oak Foundation, the conference explored challenges in the sector including access, affordability, standards and security, but also where practice can only go so far and where policy needs to change. Read more on the Crisis website.

Housing Minister Backs Longer Private Rental Tenancies

The new housing minister, Gavin Barwell, says he is behind the concept of longer tenancies for renters in the private sector. In response to a House of Commons question, Barwell said he was investigating how to make longer tenancies easier to obtain for renters.  “My department has developed a model tenancy agreement for use by landlords and tenants in the private rented sector, which encourages longer-term tenancies for those who want them. We are working with the sector to actively promote the use of this and to identify any barriers. We have also established a working group, focussed on affordability and security in the private rented sector, which will look at what more we can do to help people who require longer tenancies to get them” he said. Read more on the Letting Agent Today website.