Winter Newsletter 2023

When PH4L was established, in 2008, it was a very different private rented sector. One of our aims was to provide good quality homes at The Local Housing Allowance Rate and a good service to landlords. This aim has not changed but the market has.

A pandemic, working from home, high mortgage interest rates, draconian taxation and the fear of further legislation has caused many landlords to exit the market. Fewer properties on the market has led to an increase in rents which are no longer affordable to housing benefit claimants.

However, PH4L believe that existing tenants on LHA (plus a small top up) are still an attractive proposition to landlords.

Long term tenants with regular rent payment, no voids, no readvertising, little redecoration and a known payment history are not the risk of a new unknown tenancy. A higher rent level rarely compensates for a failed tenancy.

The good news is that the chancellor in his autumn statements intends to return the housing benefits to the 30^th percentile, which is closer to market rents.

However, PH4L do not deal exclusively with benefit claimants and are active throughout the property ranges.  As a Propertymark (previously known as Arla) qualified company, PH4L were the first agents in Plymouth to “charge no tenant fee”. PH4L meet all the exacting criteria of Propertymark and exceed requirements by having all staff accreditation trained.

We are currently seeking additional properties to let at market rent to working tenants. All prospective tenants will be credit checked and guarantors taken.

As part of our new year’s advertising campaign, we are offering incentives to existing landlords who bring further properties and to existing landlords recommending PH4L successfully to others.  Contact Gail at gail@ph4l.co.uk for further information

When choosing an agent remember PH4L pricing is transparent, nothing is hidden, and as Propertymark members all current legislation is observed.

PH4L is a not-for-profit community interest company playing its part in housing local people at fair rents and giving landlords a competitive rate from fully trained, experienced staff.

Your property becomes someone’s home, and we endeavour to please landlords with good long-term tenancies and tenants with good quality homes.

If you feel you can endorse our efforts on social media, please contact Dani on Danielle@ph4l.co.uk.

Christmas

Please see below our operating cover for the Christmas period.

We shall try to contact Landlords if any emergency issues occur during the Christmas period, but we may have to instruct contractors to attend if we deem the matter urgent and are unable to contact with the landlord.

Thank you for your continued custom and a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New year.