PRS RESILIENCE GROUP VIRTUAL MEETING: 13 May 2020 Meeting Agenda        Note of last meeting Coronavirus (Scotland)(No.2) Bill – Update Update on the Landlord Support Fund PRS Resilience Group Action Log What does recovery look like Stakeholder Update - Issues/Concerns AOB In attendance:          {Redacted}, Citizen Advice Scotland (CAS) {Redacted}, ALACHO {Redacted} Shelter Scotland {Redacted}, Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) {Redacted}, Propertymark {Redacted}, COSLA {Redacted}, Dundee City Council {Redacted}, Glasgow City Council {Redacted}, SG Apologies   {Redacted}, Shelter Scotland {Redacted} SG 1. Note of previous meeting The group was content with the note of previous meeting. 2. Landlord Support fund: At 11 May 25 completed applications had been received and were being processed, along with approximately 80 partially completed applications. Initial estimates were for 600 loan applications in 6 weeks. Noted some concerns being expressed by landlords with 6-10 properties and over 10 properties who are not eligible for funds. SG is keen to build up a picture of need in the sector, so any landlords that are out with the scheme can contact the loan fund mailbox to set out their circumstances. SAL noted that some landlords have concerns about or are not able to access mortgage holidays. Also noted that rent arrears are not as severe as first thought but could become an issue at the end of furlough. Empty properties are becoming more of a problem, particularly student accommodation. Action 1 : SG to forward PRS loan fund e mail address to SAL to pass on to landlords who are having problems with rent payments and have more than 5 properties. Action 2: SG and SAL to keep in touch to track changes on arrears and empty properties over the next few months. 3. Action Log Updates HMO licensing – still waiting on legal advice on extensions to licensing. Action 3: SG to circulate note with more detail on the Coronavirus Act to the group. Officials have been looking at the issue of council tax and unoccupied private rented properties, but so far are not convinced that action needs to be taken. Support is available for landlords for 6 months for unoccupied properties. SAL noted that there was concern amongst landlords with furnished properties who are eligible for 10% relief on Council tax and cannot remove furniture because of lockdown. Feel pressured to re-let as they cannot afford both council tax and mortgage repayments. While local authorities are responsible for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) Scottish Government policy team will provide support where necessary due to increased demand. 4. Stakeholder update CAS has updated their stats for April. PRS advice has jumped to one –third of housing advice queries and there has been an increase in page views on renting a house and noted a couple of examples of landlord harassment. An SG discussion with Police Scotland suggested that there have not been any charges for harassment by landlords, but still to be confirmed officially. Action 4: Think about what we need to do to raise awareness amongst tenants. Dundee is currently dealing with the renewal of HMO licences with a common renewal date. Some concerns about a letting agent reported to be asking students to agree to paying fees to re advertise a property if they leave early. Shelter advisors have had similar reports. Action 5: Dundee will pass information to SG letting agents team and Shelter will pass information from advisors to Dundee Council. ALACHO has no current issues, but noted the strategic role of the PRS in the recovery process and that there is a discussion to be had about evictions and possible homelessness when evictions return. SAL noted that some landlords had offered empty properties to local authorities but had no response. ALACHO noted that not all LA s need a housing supply from the PRS. Further discussion is needed by bringing together third sector organisations like CAS and Shelter, SG resilience groups e.g. LA resilience and PRS, and local authorities. Action 6: {Redacted}SG and {Redacted} will pick this up this with SAL and ALACHO SAL – need more guidance on recovery for landlords and letting agents when lockdown eases including viewing empty properties safely and safely carrying out repairs Propertymark - some letting agents cannot access £25k grant but should be eligible if considered as retail. Also concerned that rent guarantee insurance may be invalidated by extension of the Coronavirus Act. Action 7: SG to discuss with insurance providers COSLA – The local Authority Resilience group meeting is developing guidance on lettings. Work is underway across resilience groups to develop a toolkit for tenant support covering tenancy sustainment, debt advice, CAS and mental health. Any group members who wish to work collaboratively should contact Katey in the first instance. CAS is happy to support. Action 8: {Redacted} will come back to the group with particular asks for case studies etc. Glasgow CC - Suggested agenda item on ‘what does recovery look like’ for the next meeting. Also noted a problem with students not going back to university/College. Action: Add ‘what will recovery look like’ to agenda for next meeting. 5. AOB ALACHO – consider the impact on the build to rent sector and how it might recover. Statutory protection for students renting from Universities or purpose built accommodation is being considered. Views expressed on short term lets sector and how they may now move to longer term letting with the impact on market. While guidance on moving house in England has changed there are no changes to the restrictions in Scotland. While there is no prohibition on moving house, guidance says it should only be done to prevent homelessness. Discussion by group on whether guidance needed re-enforcing that it had not changed though English guidance had. Comments suggested that it was clear as it is. Next meeting date and time to be confirmed by e mail.