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Issue:- SATURDAY 20 June 2015

Landlords struggle to keep up with new laws ahead of latest change

53% of landlords in the North West admit that they struggle to keep up with changes in law relating to letting property a week before a new deadline that could leave them with heavy fines for missing. There are already over 50 'Acts of Parliament' and more than 70 sets of regulations that govern the private rented sector (PRS).

The new deadline; 23 June 2015; imposed as part of the 'Deregulation Act', affects landlords and agents in England and Wales who still hold a deposit on a tenancy that began before 6 April 2007; when Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) laws were introduced; but since continued as a Statutory Periodic Tenancy (SPT) on or after 6 April 2007.

Previously deposits taken in these circumstances have not needed to be protected in a government authorised scheme and landlords are being reminded that they could face fines of up to 3 times the value of deposit if they fail to protect in time.

CEO of mydeposits Eddie Hooker commented:- "It's important that landlords and letting agents are aware of the legislation changes and how it affects them. They must act now and check whether they need to protect any deposits and avoid a fine."

Richard Lambert, CEO at the National landlords Association, said:- "Everyone will be relieved that the Deregulation Act has sorted out the uncertainty created by the Superstrike and Charalambous judgements. Now the onus is on those landlords still holding a deposit they haven't yet protected to make sure they do so before the deadline."

Landlords who still hold deposits that were taken before the 6 April 2007, and where the tenancy continued as a SPT prior to that date, aren't required to protect it. However, if they don't then they won't be able to serve a Section 21 Notice, to regain possession of the property. Mydeposits, a government authorised scheme, is offering a 50% discount on their joining fee for all landlords who sign up before the 23 June 2015, deadline by using discount code:- 'SUM15.'

Eddie Hooker continued:- "Our advice is simple: if you still have a deposit that was taken before 6 April 2007 then the belt and braces approach is to protect it and provide your tenant with all the relevant information as soon as possible. That way you can avoid a hefty penalty and regain possession if needed. Protecting a deposit with mydeposits is simple and can be done online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also have a dedicated team of advisors that are here to help landlords and agents ensure that they act in time to protect older deposits".

A detailed breakdown of what the 'Deregulation Act' is and how it affects landlords and agents is available on the mydeposits website.

Green light for cyclists' signals

WORK on a key route in Liverpool City Centre which includes innovative traffic signals to help cyclists has been completed. The Ł3.5m scheme on Leeds Street includes revolutionary new signals at the junctions with Vauxhall Road and Pall Mall to help cyclists beat traffic. A signal displaying a green bike comes on before the full green for other traffic, allowing cyclists a 5 second head start on other vehicles. ThermiCam detectors use video and thermal sensors to detect cyclists and distinguish them from other vehicles, meaning the advance lights are not used when there are no cyclists, avoiding delays to other road users. This system combining thermal video technology and the advanced cycle signal is thought to be one of the first to be used in UK and received a special authorisation from the Department for Transport. This was designed by Amey engineers based in The Matchworks, Speke. It is part of a package of work to help reduce barriers for all road users and pedestrians as well as improve connectivity both on and across the route. Highways improvements include additional right turn lanes, new pedestrian facilities at Pall Mall, resurfacing work, major street lighting improvements and footway enhancements. The area on the south side of Leeds Street between Vauxhall Road and Pall Mall has been dramatically transformed to provide a modern off road cycle and pedestrian link, trees, planters and a Citybike station.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said:- "This scheme will make a big difference to all road users, whether they are motorists, pedestrians or cyclists. We are using the most up to date technology to help cyclists. They will get a start on other traffic at the signals which will not only help traffic flow but improve safety. This work will improve links, by removing pinch points at junctions. It'll also increase the capaCity of the Leeds Street route, which links North Liverpool with the City's commercial district."

The scheme was designed, constructed and project managed by Amey on behalf of the City Council and used local Speke based sub-contractor, King Construction for the groundworks. Mike Cafferkey, Amey Business Director for the North said:- "We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Liverpool City Council and the Department for Transport to make Liverpool one of leading cities in the UK to install innovative new cycle signals, that use the most up-to-date technology to ensure the safety of cyclists at some of the City's busiest junctions. The completion of the scheme also helps improve transport links between North Liverpool and the City's commercial district."

Funding was provided by the Regional Growth Fund and is part of successful bid by the City Council for Ł25m for the North Liverpool City Fringe Investment and Employment Programme.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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