Whats in the word

LANDLORD – WHAT’S IN A WORD?

I don’t know whether this applies to you, but for me, when a word is so familiar, so ingrained in my everyday language, I don’t really register that it might have connotations or an implied meaning, beyond the context that I apply to it.

By Angie Nicholls, KPA Property Management. Property letting experts...

So, when I heard people in my property network complaining about the use of the word “Landlord” I didn’t pay it much attention – because we all know what a landlord is, don’t we? So, why does it matter? However, I was at a meeting in London a few weeks ago and a portfolio landlord, that I have a lot of respect for, put things into a different perspective for me.

Her take on the word was that she hated it and that it was extremely outdated, unhelpful, and shrouded in prejudice. She pointed to the historical concept of the use of the word “landlord” – which could be traced back to the feudal system, where a lord of the manor would own a landed estate. In her opinion, the word spoke of fiefdoms, inequality, ‘haves and have nots’ and bore little resemblance to the landlords we see today, who are, for the most part, businesspeople who work extremely hard in their property businesses and have mortgages, insurance, managing agents fees and all sorts of things to pay out, in relation to the “business of being a landlord.”

This conversation made me re-visit my views and also made me think a lot about the relationship between landlords and their tenants and how, maybe this word, was proving to be unhelpful? Over lockdown and, perhaps ever-since, we have seen relationships with landlords and tenants becoming more strained. As managing agents, we pride ourselves on developing and maintaining good working relationships with both our landlords and their tenants and it is often a place where we can add real value and, at no time was this more evident than during lockdown.

We see the relationship between landlords and tenants as mutually beneficial – landlords need tenants to rent and look after their properties and tenants need somewhere nice and safe to live. As the agents, we sit somewhere in the middle, keeping everyone safe, being an information and communication conduit and having a duty of care to both parties. This is what we strive to achieve but we are not naïve enough to think that this is what exists everywhere. We have taken over management of enough properties, where relationships were, shall we say, less than harmonious, to know that at times it can seem like a battle and I am wondering whether, in a situation where both sides are feeling aggrieved with the other, the word landlord is adding to already existing negativity? Without mentioning specifics, you only have to look at some groups out there, with some pretty polarizing views, to see where I’m going with this one. So, if not landlord then what…proprietor, lessor, title holder, property owner, or something new maybe? Has the word landlord become outdated and, in being mindful of the words we use and their meanings, for everybody concerned, should we be looking to change it? It’s an interesting question but, one thing is for sure, of all the landlords we work alongside, the ones who are really successful, are the ones who foster positive and productive relationships with their tenants, so maybe your actions really do speak louder than your words or your title after all? An interesting concept and definitely something to consider! 25

BRISTOL’S RENTERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

People in the city are able to share their experiences of renting from a private landlord or letting agent in Bristol. A new survey asks renters to share information about their experience of renting in Bristol, and this information will be used to inform the work of the Living Rent Commission. The commission, which is made up of representatives from across the housing sector including renters, is exploring the issues facing people who rent and options to tackle the rent crisis in the city, ultimately looking at how Bristol can become a living rent city, without having a negative impact on the quality or availability of rental property. Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, said: “In Bristol we face a housing crisis. We have more than 18,000 households on our waiting list for social housing, along with over 1,100 households in temporary accommodation. The cost of renting in this city is one key cause alongside the lack of security that renters have in the private rented sector. This is why we set up the Living Rent Commission. “The powers needed to ensure the rental market is accessible and works for all do not exist. The powers come from government, so we want to work with Westminster on policy development to reform the private rented sector, enabling Bristol to become a Living Rent City.

“I would ask everyone with experience of renting in Bristol in the last five years to consider taking part in the survey. Your answers will help us to understand what renters are experiencing in the private rented sector in the city and help inform the work of the commission.”

The Living Rent Commission was launched in July 2022 following a Renters’ Summit which took place in March.

The principle aims of the commission are to:

• Improve affordability of the private rented sector

• Understand the impact of regulation on rent prices including on housing quality and maintenance • Identifying the most effective rent controls Consider what other powers are required Consider how to empower tenants’ rights Co-chair of the commission, Professor Alex Marsh from the University of Bristol, said: “The commission is a great opportunity to bring people together to identify policy changes and innovative actions that will improve the city's private rented sector. To do this we need a clear picture of tenants' current experiences of private renting and the problems they're facing. So, we're keen that as many tenants as possible complete our survey and tell us about their situation. All the information is being collected anonymously.” The survey has been extended until Sunday 13 November. You can take part here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ BristolRentersSurvey/ The information provided will be analysed by researchers at the University of Bristol. This analysis will inform the work of the commission and its final report. The report will be published later this year.

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