Letting Agents Task Force: City Council Wants Evidence

IF you’ve got anything to say about lettings agents or management companies well then now’s the time to say it. 

We'll be using your case studies to challenge the industry and to help form a series of local and national policy recommendations we want to see implemented, so it's important we get as many contributions as possible.

The city council task force, set up to look at the whole private rental sector in Manchester, wants to get first hand evidence of practices - both good and bad. 

The cross party group was announced in February, had its first meeting last month to set agendas and the second meeting is this Wednesday in Manchester Town Hall from 10am -12noon. 

Representatives from Citizens Advice Bureau and Shelter will be giving evidence about the sort of issues that come in front of them and the meeting is open to the public should anyone want to go and listen. 

But detailed evidence from people who rent in the city will be crucial to the inquiry’s success and give any recommendations it may produce much more substance and value. 

If you cannot be bothered to respond then don’t be surprised if nothing changes. 

What the group needs are concise specific grievances, with details and dates if you have them. Name the letting agent, name the block and the management company but keep it factual. No personal rants. 

Councillor Kevin Peel who is leading the task force said: "We want to get a full understanding of the issues residents in private rented housing face and the sort of experiences - good and bad - with letting agents and managing agents.

"We'll be using your case studies to challenge the industry and to help form a series of local and national policy recommendations we want to see implemented, so it's important we get as many contributions as possible.

“We don’t need pages and pages, just an overview. We can ask for more detail if necessary.” 

Send your experiences by e-mail to scrutiny@manchester.gov.uk 

Let's hope the next two meetings of the task force can be held in the evening when more city centre residents would be able to attend.