Private
sector landlords are urging support from MPs in a last stand to save
the future of renting to students and young professionals.
Nurses, teachers and a generation of young workers could be hit by a
government plan to prohibit areas of shared housing for groups of
unrelated tenants.
The legislation comes into force on 6 April when new powers will allow
planning legislation to be used to control the renting of shared
properties to people who are not families or related tenants.
Alan Ward, chairman of the Residential Landlords Association, said: "Landlords throughout the UK need to make their voices heard - urgently."
It will be the biggest mass landlord lobby of local MPs ever organised
- with some 40,000 landlords receiving an email to contact their MPs,
as well as the government, and make their protest heard.
Ward added: "The government's change to planning Use Classes Orders is
bad not only for landlords but for the whole private rented sector not
to mention the local economies that have traditionally grown around
existing areas of shared housing.
"After 6 April planning permission will be needed if a landlord wants
to rent what has been a family house or flat to three or more unrelated
people such as nurses, students, young professionals, immigrant
workers, a family with a lodger and even the elderly. It could wreck
the private rented sector.
"And all because the Secretary of State, John Denham, will not listen
to the combined voices of landlords, tenants, students, letting agents,
local retailer organisations and bodies like the RLA, British Property
Federation and National Union of Students - who are all against this.
"Everyone against this sorry attempt to use planning laws for social
engineering purposes - to dictate who is allowed to live where - should
make their voice heard by asking their local MP to oppose this very
damaging and impractical proposal.
"The whole issue - often referred to as 'studentification' was stated
in the government's own commissioned 'Rugg Report', 17 months ago, to
be a minor issued not requiring legislation. But, for some reason, the
government has over-ruled this independent report and thinks it knows
better."
posted 22 Feb 2010 10:06 by Peter Ball
[
updated 23 Feb 2010 04:25
]
The AGM is set for the 13th March and will be held at Howe Dell Community Hall between 10.00 and 12.00
Please come and support your RA
If you didn't get a leaflet informing you of the AGM by Friday 20th April, please let us know at admin@dhra.org.uk as some residents have reported not getting one by this date which was the required date for 21 days notice and we would like to know if the distribution company has missed you.
Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach
every
child about food Sharing powerful stories from his anti-obesity project in Huntington, W.
Va., TED Prize winner Jamie Oliver makes the case for an all-out
assault on our ignorance of food.
posted 16 Feb 2010 02:51 by Peter Ball
[
updated 16 Feb 2010 02:59
]
Howe Dell Children’s Centre is offering the opportunity for dads to meet up with Parentline Plus to discuss the different roles and responsibilities of being a father, and help you to understand and manage your child’s behaviour, as well as suggesting some stress-busting techniques for you and your family to try at home.
Thursdays, 7.00-9.00 pm 25th February and 4th and 11 March At The Airfield Inn, Lemsford Road, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 0DZ Light evening meal provided from selected options
To book a place at the workshop, please phone the District Partnership Team on 01438 843030 or email Nadine.cole@hertscc.gov.uk
Please be aware, a security company called Crimewatch UK have been
telephoning residents in the Welwyn Hatfield area and stating they are
coming to install an alarm at a cost of £1. They are reported to be
quite aggressive in manner on the 'phone & persistant. If you do
not want their product or to speak to them, which is your right, just
put the phone down.
These calls are all from an undisclosed number. Please do not pass
any information over the phone to unexpected callers & if they are
persistant & or aggressive just put the phone down
As someone active in the local
community, you perhaps may know of someone who deserves to receive a
Welwyn Hatfield Civic Award.
These awards reward achievement,
generosity and courage and each winner receives a personalised trophy,
a cheque for £250 and a certificate. Up to four winners will be
selected from nominations received and will be selected by a Community
Awards Panel chaired by the Mayor. Awards will be presented at the AGM
on Monday 24 May 2010. This year there is an award specifically to
honour the achievements of young people in the borough, to qualify for
this the nominees must be under the age of 25.
Time is running out to nominate someone for the Civic Awards, so don't miss out. The deadline is Friday 19 February.
Forms are also available from reception at any council building and you can also request a form by phoning 01707 357000. All nominations must be seconded by another person and nominations have to be for individuals rather than a group of people.
