Goodlord to host webinars on navigating COVID-19 legislation

Lettings platform Goodlord will host a series of free webinars designed to support agents and landlords looking for help on getting through the current crisis.

This week Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, will co-host an industry webinar alongside Goodlord’s head of insurance, Oli Sherlock, to discuss new legislation around tenant non-payment of rent and associated legal proceedings.

Next week ARLA’s David Cox will join Goodlord’s William Reeve to answer questions on the latest legal changes facing the industry, including Section 21, the Renters’ Reform Bill, and Electrical Safety Regulations, and fresh legislation that has emerged since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oli Sherlock, head of insurance at Goodlord, said: “There’s a huge amount of new guidance and evolving regulation for agents and landlords to keep up with, as well as a fair amount of misinformation and confusion.

“Against the backdrop of the toughest business climate this industry has ever experienced, it’s a huge task to ensure you’re on top of all the new guidelines.

“We hope these webinars can answer some of the common queries and provide reassurance to agents trying to offer a safe, compliant service at this stressful time.”

The first webinar with Paul Shamplina will take place on Thursday, 23 April between 9:30 and 10:30am, while the second with David Cox will go live on Wednesday 29 April from 9.30am.

Questions from participants have already been submitted for both sessions.

Key areas of concern include how to handle student lets with the new regulations, as well as rules around Section 21 notices and payment plan protocols.

A number of queries has also been raised with regards to the pre-tenancy process, with questions ranging from validating documentation and what it permitted during social distancing, to ascertaining who is in receipt of furloughed income.

Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, added: “The whole industry is facing a set of unprecedented challenges.

“We are being inundated at Landlord Action by worried Agents and Landlords. With new Covid 19 regulation put in by the Government on an emergency basis, it can be confusing.

“We hope this webinar can answer pressing questions and provide much needed clarity on the legislation that both agents and landlords are having to rapidly get to grips with.”