Episode 68: Tackling hot homes and the latest on agents' fees

With this summer on course to be one of the hottest since records began, we look at your responsibilities when it comes to your rental properties and keeping tenants cool. In addition to the impact of excess heat, we look at the practical, low-costs steps you can take to keep the temperatures down – as well as questions over whether moves to improve the energy efficiency of rental homes could make them hotter. Later in the show we look at the impact the Renters' Rights Act has had on agents and their fee structures, with the end of the fixed terms also meaning the end of renewal charges.  We examine the ways agents have approached the changes and new rent management services on offer – with a move to a monthly, rather than up-front fees. Meet the guests  Ben and Richard are joined by Matthew Scott, policy manager at the Chartered institute of Housing (CIH) which is running a cross-sector campaign on overheating in homes with the National Housing Federation and Henry Davis – a developer and NRLA trainer – who talks about the practical steps you can take to tackle the issue. Elsewhere in the show we talk to Theresa Wallace, chair of The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) about how agents are responding to the Renters' Rights Act, with the NRLA's Hannah Keyon joining us to talk about the calls coming in to the landlord support team this month.   How to watch   You can listen and watch the podcast via the NRLA website, or your preferred streaming service. To watch the video, you will need to tune in on Spotify or watch on YouTube.   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 detail on hot homes and how to tackle them click here. To find out more about The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) click here. Excess heat is recognised is listed as a risk under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which defines the hazard as 'threats from excessively high indoor air temperatures'. We have created a new checklist to help you make sure your homes are compliant. The comprehensive 31-page document includes a tick list and guidance notes on what to look out for. You can find this, and more about HHSRS and your responsibilities in our members' guide here.    The NRLA also runs a property standards and safety course outlining your obligations, which has been updated to include the new rules. To find out more and to book your place click here.      To find out more about the CIH and NHF campaign click here. Listen Up Landlords is brought to you by the NRLA. Hosted by: Ben Beadle & Richard Blanco    Produced by: Sally Walmsley    Video Production: Alexandra Southerington