Latest News for Landlords
Bassetlaw Landlords Association - BLA
Bassetlaw Landlords Association are holding their next meeting
on Wednesday 3 February 2010 at 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Included in the evening will be a presentation from Graham
Jackson and Julian Proudman of Bassetlaw District Council on
working with the private sector and landlord accreditation.
The meeting will take place at the Old Vicarage, Park Lane,
Elkesley, Retford, Notts. DN22 8AR.
New service charge deductions from April 2009
From 6th April 2009, the standard deductions the Benefits Unit
may make from inclusive rents have changed. This is where services
such as fuel or meals are included in the rent but not eligible for
Housing Benefit. The changes are as follow:
Heating ..……..…...£21.55 per
week
Hot
Water….…...…..£2.50 per week
Lighting.…………….£1.75
per week
Cooking.………..…..£2.50
per week
All fuel………….….£28.30
per week
All fuel (1
room)….£12.90 per week
Cooking (1
room)….£2.50 per week
Meals - Adults over 16yrs-
weekly
3 or more meals a
day…..£22.95
Less than 3 meals a
day..£15.25
Breakfast
only…………….£2.80
Meals–Children under 16yrs-
weekly
3 or more meals a
day….£11.60
Less than 3 meals a
day..£7.65
Breakfast
only…………….£2.80
You may wish to consider these if re-setting your rents for
2009.
Local Housing Allowance

The Government has agreed the Welfare Reform bill, in May 2007
which includes new legislation for tenants of privately rented
properties who claim Housing benefit and came into effect from 7th
April 2008.
The new benefit is called Local Housing Allowance and replaces
the old Rent Allowance scheme.
The main changes are:
- The way the eligible rent is worked out
- The way we pay the benefit
- safeguards for vulnerable tenants
Please see our Local Housing Allowance page for more
details.
Government Introduces Tenancy Deposit schemes
Tenancy deposit law was introduced on 6th April 2007 to give
more protection to tenants by preventing landlords and letting
agents from unfairly with holding a tenant's deposit.
From 6 April 2007, all deposits (up to the level of £25,000)
taken by landlords and letting agents for Assured Shorthold
Tenancies in England and Wales, must be protected by a tenancy
deposit protection scheme.
What are Tenancy Deposit Schemes?
There are two types of protection scheme available,
- Insurance-based schemes
- Custodial schemes
Both schemes provide a free dispute resolution service..... more
details can be found on the DirectGov
website.

You can also download leaflets for yourself and your tenant
(in English & Polish) on our forms & leaflets to download page.
Keep these pages in your favourites and check regularly for
updates and events in your area.
Last Updated - 25/01/2010