Episode 55: Pets amendment and solving the empty homes crisis

  n this month's episode of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle and Richard Blanco welcome Lord de Clifford, the peer responsible for tabling the latest pet amendment to the Renters' Rights Bill.  A Government amendment last month reversed an earlier pledge that would have allowed landlords to require damage insurance as a condition of accepting a pet.  However, Lord de Clifford, a crossbench member of the House of Lords, proposed an alternative amendment, which would enable landlords to take an additional 'pet deposit' of three weeks' rent where a pet request is accepted – something the NRLA has been campaigning for, for some time.  Along with NRLA chief policy officer Chris Norris, Lord de Clifford talks about the challenges that came with the Government's initial pledge – and the benefits of his amendment, which will not require tenants to pay ongoing premiums.  Hannah Kenyon, representing the NRLA support team, talks about the calls coming into the phone lines this month, with a distinctly summery feel, as we enter the holiday season.  Later, the podcast team is also joined by Chris Bailey of campaign group, Action on Empty Homes. With an estimated 700,000 homes lying empty in England alone – a figure that is continuing to rise – he talks about the important role landlords can play in bringing properties back into use, as well as the impact of Government legislation.  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]    More information   To download a transcript of the podcast click here.  For all the latest on the progress of the Renters' Rights Bill and the NRLA's campaigns work click here.  For more information on the work of Action on Empty Homes 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.  If you would like further details on how to become accredited with the NRLA click here.