Lauren’s Insights:
As expected, the course didn’t disappoint. "The course was both interesting and informative," she shared - one of the most fascinating parts for Lauren was the case study of a tenant who had shockingly put their rental property up for sale—through a fake agency! "This really drove home the importance of landlords using HM Land Registry alerts to monitor their property," she pointed out. The registry’s free alert service can notify landlords if someone tries to access or request information about their property, helping to prevent fraudulent activity. More information available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/property-alert
Beyond the headlines, the course addressed pressing issues facing tenants today, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Lauren appreciated the detailed guidance on how tenants struggling financially can access assistance. “I learned about resources for tenants who lose their jobs or face financial hardship, such as reductions on council tax and utilities,” she noted.
Another key takeaway was how tenants with County Court Judgments (CCJs) should handle their financial disclosures. "Even if a tenant has paid off a CCJ, we still need to know about it. Failing to declare this could result in their reference failing and losing their holding deposit," she explained, adding that transparency is critical during the referencing process.
Lauren also highlighted how pleased she was to see that base is already ahead of the game when it comes to many of the new regulatory practices discussed. “We make sure all critical documents are tracked and recorded for our tenants and landlords, which ensures compliance and protects both parties,” she said.
Looking forward, Lauren is eager to see how the much-anticipated Renters' Rights Bill, predicted to come into play by summer next year, will impact the industry. "It’s going to be very interesting to see how this legislation evolves and how it will influence our work moving forward," she concluded.
Bobbi’s Perspective:
For Bobbi, attending this year’s course was a chance to reflect on how far she has come since first taking part in the training shortly after joining base, particularly as she transitioned from property management to the administrative side of things. "Last year, I was new to Lettings Admin, and the course helped me grasp the reasoning behind many of our processes," she recalled. "This year, it was surprising to realise just how much I’ve learned over the last 12 months."
Bobbi praised Dave for his ability to make complicated legal jargon accessible and engaging. "He breaks down the most complex regulations into relatable examples," she shared. A highlight was when Dave explored the upcoming Renters' Rights Bill, which has been widely discussed in the media. "While it’s still in development, Dave was clear that no formal advice should be given until the final details are available. This was reassuring, as it means we can be fully prepared without making hasty decisions."
The course also reinforced Bobbi's understanding of the importance of following industry best practices, especially in relation to compliance. “It was great to see that the processes we already have in place at Base are well aligned with industry standards. I was able to jot down some specific notes and ideas for how we can refine these even further to benefit our landlords and tenants,” she said.
Finally, the course served as a reminder of how dynamic the lettings industry is, with legislative changes happening at a rapid pace. "It’s always evolving, and it’s crucial that we remain adaptable and ready to embrace these changes."
Overall, both Lauren and Bobbi found the lettings update course incredibly valuable. At base, we believe that continuous learning is key to delivering top-tier service, and this training was a perfect example of how staying informed helps us maintain our commitment to compliance, innovation, and client satisfaction.
