Our Patch SUMMER 2017
LANDLORD ADVICE
Do I need a licence?
Kelly de Lautour
and Bianca Sainty
The landlord scheme
is expanding
NEXTDOOR
YOUR NEIGHBOURS
are ALL TALKING
M
ore than 4,000 local residents
have now joined new online
social networking app
Nextdoor. Have you?
The app – which was developed as
a start-up firm and recently acquired
Streetlife – allows neighbours to plan
local events, discuss safety issues,
post things for sale and much more.
More than 75 per cent of
neighbourhoods in H&F now have
more than 50 members. In Wendell
Park alone, more than 500 members
have now signed up to the free,
private network.
Kelly de Lautour, owner of
Detour Café in Askew Road, uses
Nextdoor to connect to the other
local residents. And she’s teamed up
with Hammersmith personal trainer
Bianca Sainty to help local people
‘get fit, eat better and feel great’.
“It’s helping bring the community
together,” says Bianca.
Download the app: nextdoor.co.uk
Funnyman
James Acaster
HAVING A LAUGH?
The jokes aren’t reserved just for the
the Comedy Festival at Bush Theatre.
Because comedian James Acaster
heads to Bush Hall on June 16. The
Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo
and Radio 4 star will be joined by
Liam Williams and Ed Gamble.
Tickets £19.25 bushhallmusic.co.uk
16/17
Landlords in certain streets
in W6 and W12 prepare
for a new council scheme
to improve standards.
Here’s what you need to
know before June 5
I
f you rent your house or flat in
Hammersmith or Shepherds Bush
you may need a licence… and the
deadline is looming.
The rules change on June 5 after
Hammersmith & Fulham Council
agreed the alterations to help improve
standards for renters and increase
accountability for landlords.
It will increase the number of
landlords who need a licence to
confirm they meet safety and condition
standards for the third of all borough
residents who rent privately.
Rented properties in nearly 130
named streets in the borough now need
a selective licence.
There is also a simple-to-follow
questionnaire which lets landlords know
if they do require a licence. A selective
licence costs £540, and is tax-deductible.
Discounts apply for membership
of accredited landlord bodies, and
for landlords who sign up to the
borough’s landlord rental charter, which
encourages high standards.
Applications can be made online.
Licences have the backing of John
Horton, of Horton and Garton, who
believes that an overall improvement in
standards will benefit everyone.
“It’s important that landlords
understand their responsibilities – and
thankfully the majority are extremely
responsible,” he said.
“It’s also great news for local renters
who now have more protection and
can expect higher standards from
landlords.”
NEED HELP? If you want
to discuss licensing issues
call us on 020 8819 0511
or stop by our King Street
office. Alternatively, call
H&F Council on
020 8753 1081