Episode 7: Tackling anti-social behaviour and transforming commercial buildings into new homes
With July 19-25th marking the annual antisocial behaviour awareness week, we speak to the experts about what landlords can do to tackle the issue and how mediation can help. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to guests Julie Ford, a mediator from the Property Redress Scheme and Chris Grose from Capsticks Solicitors on the tools landlords have at their disposal to tackle the issue - and how talking can help. Elsewhere in the show Dan Cumming of the NRLA advice team talks about the hot topics on the phonelines throughout the month, including keeping gardens at your rental homes in good condition and where responsibilities lie. Last, but by no means least, we talk to developers Malkit Purewal and Sanjay Kumar of Savoys Properties (Instagram: savoysproperties), NRLA members who specialise in HMOs and converting former commercial premises into new homes. Recent changes to planning legislation have made it easier for developers to carry out these developments and the award-winning partners have converted properties including garages, shops, restaurants, offices and even a building society. To find out more about how they do it tune in now. And 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 information on anti-social behaviour and how to tackle it click here. The NLRA training academy also runs an eLearning course on anti-social behaviour. For more information click here. You can read an article on the recent changes to planning rules in the Winter 2020 edition of NRLA member magazine Property. (Page 42) To read a full transcript of the show click here. Guest Biographies Julie Ford - mediator for the Property Redress Scheme Julie has over 25 years’ experience in the private rented sector predominantly in lettings and property management. A formal specialist housing adviser for Citizens’ Advice and having previously worked as portfolio caseworker for a local homeless charity, Julie bring years of experience to her role as mediator for the Property Redress Scheme Chris Grose – Head of Housing Advisory Service, Capsticks. Chris leads the Housing Advisory Service which consists of a range of consultancy and training services. Chris has worked in the social housing sector for 22 years in a number of roles including leading an ASB team, a national ASB Advisor at the CIH and a consultant. Chris has worked closely with a range of agencies both locally and nationally, including working directly with the Home Office in the development of the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which included giving evidence at the House of Commons Select Committee. Malkit Purewal and Sanjay Kumar are childhood friends who embarked on their property journey over 20 years ago by purchasing a property in auction while both in fulltime employment. They continued building their property portfolio while working until 2008 when they embarked on adding value to property by developing or extending properties. In 2010 they purchased an HMO in auction which was used for LHA tenants. They used this HMO as a template to learn how to provide modern contemporary co-living HMOs for the working professionals. The now manage more than 300 tenants in HMOs for themselves and landlords in South East England. In 2013 Malkit and Sanjay took advantage of prior approval planning rules to repurpose commercial properties to residential use. From 2013 till to date they have repurposed numerous commercial properties to residential use which was recognised in 2020 by the Property Investor Awards where Malkit and Sanjay were named Commercial Property Developer of the Year.