Posts with tag: Landlord Action

‘Rumble with the Agents’ to raise funds for Inclusion Barnet

Published On: January 31, 2020 at 9:49 am

Categories: Events,Landlord News,Lettings News

Tags: charity,Hamilton Fraser,Landlord Action,Rumble with the Agents

Planning for this year’s Rumble with the Agents, a charity fundraiser hosted by Landlord Action and sponsored by Hamilton Fraser, is now underway.

The focus of this annual white-collar charity boxing event is to raise funds for Inclusion Barnet, a charity that provides vital support for those with a disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions.

Paul Shamplina, one of the key founders of Landlord Action, set the event up six years ago, running it alongside his wife Rita. He is now looking for ten individuals from the property sector to get involved and try their hand at boxing. Anyone interested should sign up by 7^th February.

It’s free to take part and includes a fully structured and supervised boxing training program to ensure optimum physical fitness and teach participants the correct techniques will be provided by JA Boxing in north London.

Participants are not required to have any previous experience, just a desire to learn a new skill, get fit in three months and support an excellent local charity!

More information about Inclusion Barnet

Inclusion Barnet is a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO), which means that their staff and trustees have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and long-term conditions. They use their lived experience to raise awareness and educate society about the barriers faced by disabled people and how people can work together to remove those barriers.

Those living with a disability often find it very hard to access the services and resources they need to help them live the life they want to live, which is where Inclusion Barnet provides vital support.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Paul Shamplina says: “As many people know, I’ve been a keen boxer for many years. Boxing not only helps me keep fit, it’s a stress reliever, motivator, confidence builder and has taught me discipline.

“I know an increasing number of boxing clubs are doing an outstanding job to ensure that the experiences they offer are fully inclusive, and that is why we feel that this year’s charity is a perfect fit for Rumble with the Agents 2020.”

There will be five fights throughout the evening, which will each consist of three two-minute rounds. There will also be a three-course Neal, charity auction and raffle.

The event has raised a total of £93,000 to date for various charities. It’s open to agents, property professionals, suppliers and landlords and will take place on Thursday 21^st May 2020. It will be held at Holiday Inn, Avenue Banqueting, 58 Regents Park Road, London, N3 3JN.

If you would like more information on how to volunteer to take part or donate something for the raffle/ auction you can email Rita Shamplina on info@rumblewiththeagents.co.uk or call 07790 569501.

Information about tickets can be found at www.rumblewiththeagents.co.uk.

Hamilton Fraser Acquires Leading Tenant Eviction Firm, Landlord Action

Published On: June 27, 2017 at 8:10 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: evictions,Landlord Action,landlord law,Paul Shamplina

HF Resolution Ltd, a subsidiary of Hamilton Fraser, has acquired a leading tenant eviction firm, Landlord Action Limited.

Hamilton Fraser Acquires Leading Tenant Eviction Firm, Landlord Action

Landlord Action was founded in 1999 as the first ever fixed-fee tenant eviction service. Led by its Founder, Paul Shamplina, Landlord Action has since acted in more than 35,000 problem tenant cases, become a champion for landlords and won numerous industry accolades.

Landlord Action obtained Solicitors Regulation Authority status in 2013. Campaigning extensively for landlord rights, Landlord Action played a major role in changing the law to make squatting a criminal offence in 2012.

Since being set up in 1996, Hamilton Fraser has developed numerous interests in the property industry. It is the owner and scheme administrator for mydeposits and Client Money Protect, and, through HF Resolution, it runs the Property Redress Scheme.

Shamplina, who has been acting as the Brand Ambassador for Hamilton Fraser since 2016, will continue to head up Landlord Action, along with his legal team, who will now be based at Hamilton Fraser’s offices in Borehamwood.

Commenting on the acquisition, Shamplina says: “We’re extremely excited to be making this announcement. I have dedicated the last 17 years to helping landlords and agents, and I plan to continue doing so with the added support of Hamilton Fraser. With several brands already providing valuable services throughout the private rented sector, the acquisition not only complements Hamilton Fraser’s existing business, but is a great platform from which to grow Landlord Action.”

The CEO of Hamilton Fraser, Eddie Hooker, adds: “Landlord Action has built an excellent reputation with a solid record for success, and we have enjoyed working more closely with the team over the last few years. This next step is an opportunity for both companies to merge their industry experience and skills to provide a comprehensive suite of services to landlords and agents. We’re proud to say that Hamilton Fraser, through HF Resolution, is now approved and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, specialising in housing law.”

Landlord Action to Feature in Third Series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords

Published On: September 27, 2016 at 9:15 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: evictions,Landlord Action,letting agents,rogue landlords,tenants

Landlord Action to Feature in Third Series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords

Following the success of the first two series, tenant eviction firm Landlord Action has announced that it will feature in the 12-part third series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords on Channel 5.

As rents continue to spiral, due to continuing pressure on housing stock, the observational documentary will continue to follow the conflicts between landlords and tenants. Previous episodes have uncovered shocking subletting scams, rent arrears cases and uninhabitable conditions. The third series aims to reveal even more industry issues that affect all those in the lettings sector.

The Founder of Landlord Action, Paul Shamplina, says: “Working closely with those landlords that have found themselves in extremely distressing situations, we will once again be exposing the most prevalent landlord/tenant issues. These include subletting scams, in particular, those relating to the holiday rental market, retaliation eviction and more shocking rent arrears cases.”

However, Landlord Action also notes that it is not just battles between landlords and tenants that plague the private rental sector. The firm aims to uncover the rogue letting agents that rip off their clients.

Throughout more than 160 hours of filming, Landlord Action will name and shame those unscrupulous letting agents that withhold rent from landlords and deposits from tenants.

Shamplina comments: “Letting or renting a property can be a complex business and one that is not without risk. For this reason, it is important that we expose the rogue letting agent operators who are tarnishing the reputation of those good, trustworthy agents. The industry will be a better place once Client Money Protection is mandatory for all letting agents, ensuring landlords’ rent and tenants’ deposits are protected.”

He adds: “Those landlords that have kindly agreed to share their story will help educate and prevent others from making the same mistakes.”

The third series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords is due to air from February 2017.

Second Series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords to Begin Tomorrow

Published On: March 8, 2016 at 3:41 pm

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: Landlord Action,landlord law,Nightmare Tenants Slum Landlords,rogue landlords

Tomorrow night at 9pm, the second series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords will begin on Channel 5.

The ten-part series explores the dark side the private rental sector and continuing housing crisis. It features leading eviction specialists Landlord Action and the firm’s founder, Paul Shamplina.

Landlord Action believes that the “complexities and sheer amount” of legislation around private rental housing is pushing more and more landlords out of the buy-to-let sector, which is further fuelling the chronic shortage of housing in the UK.

Second Series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords to Begin Tomorrow

The imbalance between supply and demand is also causing rents to rise, putting a strain on landlord-tenant relationships. Just last month, Countrywide reported that the average rent is now the highest on record.

The second series of the programme will reveal some of the difficulties faced by private landlords and tenants in a market that “needs clear and simplified direction in order to maintain its current level of growth”, according to Landlord Action. It is believed that 30% of all households will live in the private rental sector within 30 years.

The first 60-minute episode of the new series will feature three stories, two of which involve a common landlord issue – rent arrears.

Donovan Nelson, a successful music entrepreneur, has not received rent for seven months from one of his tenants. With costs spiralling out of control, Nelson has called on Landlord Action to help him evict the tenant. However, on the day of the court hearing, Donovan is faced with the news that his tenant is going to fight the eviction, claiming that the hot water is not working.

“This case highlights one of my greatest concerns surrounding last year’s introduction of the retaliation eviction law as part of the Deregulation Act 2015,” says Shamplina. “The new measures protect tenants from being evicted when they raise a complaint about the condition of their home. Unfortunately, some tenants are using this as a loophole to avoid eviction, putting landlords under extreme financial pressure.”

If you are suffering with rent arrears, rent guarantee and legal expenses insurance will ensure that you still get paid and your legal expenses are covered.

Episode one also features a rogue landlord, previously known to the authorities, who is renting a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to several tenants in extremely unsanitary conditions, which have caused a rat infestation.

Shamplina comments: “The show is a very real insight into the plights of the buy-to-let world. There are many professional landlords and respectful tenants out there who move from one harmonious tenancy to another, but that is not always the case.

“With increasing amounts of legislation, we’re seeing a rise in the number of landlords and tenants at loggerheads. Designed to offer a balanced view of the market, Landlord Action was thrilled to be invited to take part in the second series and help show landlords and tenants how to protect themselves.”

The first series of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords, which aired in June-July 2015, attracted over 1.5m viewers.

The second series will run for ten weeks, every Wednesday on Channel 5 at 9pm.

Additionally, Shamplina will be co-hosting the new The Property Hour radio show on LBC every Thursday from 9pm-10pm, starting this week.

Possession Delays Caused by Call Centres, Claims Landlord Action

Published On: November 30, 2015 at 10:19 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: evicting tenants,Landlord Action,possession order,repossession order,tenant eviction

A year ago, tenant eviction specialist Landlord Action reported that possession claims were being delayed by under-resourced county courts. Twelve months later, it says that the issue has not improved and is worsened by temporary staff running call centres.

Possession Delays Caused by Call Centres, Claims Landlord Action

It warns other practitioners: “If you want an answer quickly, be prepared to chase.”

The firm has an appointed member of staff to follow up any claims made to the courts. This way, Landlord Action continues to provide an efficient service, despite the delays in the system.

However, it found that due to court closures, some county courts are operating call centres with temporary staff that have little or no experience. These teams are processing claims and correspondence.

Julie Herbert, Head of Legal at Landlord Action, was informed that in one particular call centre, there were just six people dealing with 55 different courts.

Herbert states: “It is evident that those at the call centre are not qualified to be able to differentiate between correspondence that can sit on a file, and correspondence that needs the urgent attention of a judge in order for a case to progress. We have had numerous incidents where court staff appear to be opening post, filing it and doing little about it, adding to the problem even further.”

The company fears that with further planned court closures and the introduction of the Deregulation Act 2015, there may be a rush of more “defended, contentious cases” jamming the system and causing even longer delays.

Herbert suggests: “When correspondence is received by the court, it needs to be looked at by someone who is capable of deciding whether the item of correspondence requires any action. If they are going to close courts, they need to transfer some of those qualified members of staff to these call centres.

“Alternatively, train up more qualified staff so that they have a legal understanding of each item of correspondence which the court receives. It can then be processed, saving numerous calls from practitioners chasing them up.”

Herbert believes that many applications by tenants have “no merit”. However, office staff are processing some applications, with the hearings being planned weeks after a possession order has been granted, meaning further losses for landlords and putting pressure on court resources.

Herbert adds: “If judges actually got to see these applications in the first instance, decisions could be made on most without the need for a hearing.”

Landlord Action advises other practitioners that are awaiting a reply from the courts to make regular chase up calls.

Herbert concludes: “If told that it is in the system, push to know exactly when the file was or will be referred to a judge, as well as asking what timeframes are in place for when you can hear back from the court and take a name. It is important to follow up your conversation with the court by email, as this also provides evidence for you to show your client that you are being proactive.”

Are you currently trying to gain possession of your property? And have you faced difficulty?

Landlord confronts rogue agent who owes £20,000

Published On: July 7, 2015 at 2:27 pm

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: Landlord Action,rogue landlords,unscrupulous agents

This week’s episode of ‘Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords’ will show how just one rogue agent can give other, conscientious ones a bad reputation.

Margaret Wilson is to come face to face with the unscrupulous agent that owes her £20,000. Mrs Wilson owns a couple of rental properties in Oxfordshire and two years ago, she decided to put them under the control of agent Carl Afilaka of Christopher Stanley Lettings Ltd.

Non-payments

Initially, everything was in order, with Mrs Wilson receiving monthly payments from the agent. However, after the first year, despite tenants paying rent to Mr Afilaka, he in turn stopped paying Mrs Wilson. As a result, she is now owed around £20,000.

Investigations into Christopher Stanley Lettings Ltd has found that Mrs Wilson was not the first person to be scammed by Afilaka. Other landlords have complained of their deposits not being securely registered or not returned, with others citing violent behavior.

Mrs Wilson contacted Trading Standards and the police, both with no successful outcome. After a few fruitless months trying to contact Mr Afilaka, she eventually got in touch with Landlord Action’s debt recovery department. With the help of founder Paul Shamplina, Mrs Wilson finally gets to confront the rogue landlord face to face.

Landlord confronts rogue agent who owes £20,000

Infuriating

‘For a number of years, our debt recovery department has been taking legal action for landlords against rogue agents that withhold rent owed to landlords for their own business and cash flow purposes,’ said Mr Shamplina. ‘It infuriates me that any agent is able to get away with this whilst causing so much distress to a landlord. It can often discourage them from using a good reputable letting agent in the future.’[1]

‘All landlords should do their research with regards to finding a good agent, making sure they belong to an association such ashttp://www.arla.co.uk/ or NALS, that they are registered with a mandatory redress scheme and, most importantly, that they have client money protection insurance in place. Landlords can also look for the SAFEagent logo which will give them a peace of mind. This way, if ever the instructed agent was to go out of business the rent and their tenant’s deposit would be insured.’[1]

See Mrs Wilson give Mr Afilaka his comeuppance tomorrow at 9pm on Channel 5.

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/landlord-faces-agent-who-owes-her-20000.html