Council Launches Letting Agency For Private Renters

A London council has launched a letting agency for private renters, in a move it said would protect tenants from “the scourge of rip-off fees and charges”. Haringey council in north London said its online agency, Move 51⁰ North, was the first in the UK to offer private tenants an alternative to mainstream letting agents. Haringey council’s agency will charge tenants a fee of £180 to cover administration and £72 for credit checks. There are no renewal fees if they continue their tenancy beyond the original contract period. Landlords will be offered lettings and management services at the market rate, and access to the council’s maintenance services for repairs. None have yet signed up. Read more on the Haringey Council website.

'Green Deal' Energy Efficiency Scheme Too ‘Complex’

An ambitious Government scheme to improve the energy efficiency of millions of homes is so “complex” it is likely to be discouraging the public from signing up, the head of the company funding the project has admitted.  Mark Bayley, the chief executive of the Green Deal Finance Company, admitted that the complexity of financing the Green Deal could be putting off a lot of homeowners from taking part. This can involve a number of “home visits”, multiple forms to fill in as well as delays in credit checking. “There are still too many complexities facing the consumer,” he said. Read more on the Independent website.

Green Deal Credit Checks Could Stymie Demand

Industry experts have expressed fears moves by the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC) to credit check customers could increase costs and suppress demand for the government’s flagship scheme.  It has never been clear whether credit checks of customers would be required under the Green Deal because of the unique way that the schemes loans are tied to the property not the occupier.  However, the Office of Fair Trading has advised the GDFC it will need to conduct them to comply with financial regulations.  Read more on the Building website.