Episode 46: HMOs and mental health in housing

In this episode of NRLA podcast Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle and Richard Blanco look at the renewed popularity of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and address the issue of mental health in the private rented sector. Ben and Richard are joined by Russell Anderson, Commercial Director at Paragon Bank and HMO landlord Andy Graham to talk about the increase in the number of landlords investing in this type of property. A recent report from Paragon showed increasing numbers of aspiring portfolio landlords are targeting HMOs, with NRLA research revealing the number of landlords with HMOs in their portfolios has risen from 17% to 22% in the last decade alone. We look at the reasons for this, the changing face of HMOs and the challenges facing the sector over coming years, particularly in the student sector. Landlord support team leader Danny McKeown Henshall fills us in on the hot topics on the NRLA phone lines this month, and, to mark the launch of two new courses from the NRLA Training Academy, we shine a spotlight on mental health. The award-winning academy's new mental health in housing course will help private sector landlords identify common mental health disorders and develop strategies for prevention, intervention, and support. The Listen Up Landlords team is joined by expert trainer Mike O'Hara to talk about the issue of mental health in the PRS, what landlords can do to support tenants and, where they can turn for support, if they find themselves struggling. More information In addition to the PRS Mental Health in Housing course, the NRLA Training Academy is also launching a course for those working in social housing, with more information available here. If you are a landlord struggling with your mental health, you can find more information here. For all podcast enquiries email [email protected]    To access a transcript of the podcast click here. 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.