Listen Up Landlords podcast
42 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago -Are you a new landlord just starting out in the business, or an experienced investor looking for the inside track on what’s going on in the private rented sector?
If so, Listen Up Landlords is the podcast for you.
Brought to you by the UK's largest landlord membership organisation, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) it will bring you the very best information, insight and analysis when it comes to renting homes, along with practical advice on how to make the best of your properties.
Presenters, NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle - a landlord himself
- and landlord, property developer and broadcaster Richard Blanco will be joined each month by expert guests from across the industry to shine a light on the issues affecting you and your lettings.
This could be anything from new legislation and tax changes to boosting your kerb appeal.
By landlords, for landlords, Listen Up Landlords will feature stories and views from individuals from the buy-to-let market, to support those just starting out and to share best practice.
About the NRLA
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is the UK's largest membership organisation for private residential landlords, supporting and representing over 85,000 members and associates. We support and represent private residential landlords across England and Wales, providing expertise, support and resources, campaigning on behalf of our member and promoting the contribution landlords make in the provision of safe, legal and secure homes. Find out more at www.nrla.org.uk
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Episodes
Episode 42: A General Election Special
June 28, 2024 12:29 - 30 minutes - 31.5 MBIn this episode of NRLA podcast Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk all things election – with the big day less than a week away. Ben and Richard are joined by a trio of guests, John Midgely, partner at Seddons, Theresa Wallace, Chair at the Lettings Industry Council and Portico’s John Williams. Nothing will be off the table as we examine what the manifestos of the leading political parties have to offer landlor...
Episode 41: Local authority enforcement and property fraud
May 30, 2024 21:17 - 30 minutes - 31.4 MBIn this episode of NRLA podcast Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine the issue of local authority enforcement following the publication of a new report by the NRLA. Ben and Richard are joined by James Wood, head of policy for the NRLA and Julia Morris, assistant director of regulatory services from Waltham Forest Council to discuss the findings, which uncovered huge disparities between enforcement work carried out i...
Episode 40: Renters (Reform) amendments and permitted development rights
April 29, 2024 14:25 - 33 minutes - 33.6 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords – recorded before last week’s rental reform debate in the Commons – NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) discuss important amendments to the Renters Reform Bill. Ben and Richard are joined by HMO landlord and podcaster Andy Graham, and consumer champion and financial journalist Sarah Davidson, who discuss how the proposed changes will affect landlords and tenants. We also hear from John Blackwood, Chief Executiv...
Episode 39: New research on landlords and the economy and changes ahead for EPCs
March 22, 2024 10:46 - 27 minutes - 26.3 MBIn this episode of NRLA podcast Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine new research showing smaller landlords in the PRS contribute £45billion to the UK economy, and support almost 400,000 jobs. The report, by PwC, was commissioned by the NRLA in partnership with Paragon Bank and Ben and Richard are joined by Paragon’s Mortgages Managing Director, Richard Rowntree to discuss the findings, along with landlord Suzanne Sm...
Episode 38: Landlord taxation and holiday lets
February 26, 2024 22:22 - 29 minutes - 28.6 MBIn this episode of NRLA podcast Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine the thorny issue of landlord taxation. Ben and Richard are joined by Stuart Adam, a senior economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who believes that measures introduced by former Chancellor George Osborne are harming tenants by forcing rents up. He says that in his opinion the Government should restore the deduction for finance costs in ful...
Episode 37: Licensing issues & ebike safety warning
January 25, 2024 14:33 - 24 minutes - 23.9 MBIn this episode of NRLA podcast Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine frustrations with local licensing schemes, and safety issues around ebikes and escooters that may be stored in your rental properties. Ben and Richard are joined by landlord Karen Gregory who has had to wait for years for one of her licensing applications to be processed, and Russell Moffatt, whose Metastreet software was developed to help local auth...
Episode 36 – An NRLA Christmas Special
December 19, 2023 09:38 - 39 minutes - 22.9 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) welcome a panel of guests to look back over the last 12 months and forward to 2024. This was the year to Government finally published its Renters (Reform) Bill, at the same time as – following years of low interest rates – base rate hit 5.25% and average mortgage rates rose to well over 6%. The supply crisis in the Private Rented Sector has worsened, with lat...
Episode 35 - A Rental Reform Special
November 30, 2023 12:37 - 27 minutes - 16 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) shine the spotlight on the progress of the Renters (Reform) Bill, promising the biggest shake up of the PRS in decades. Ben and Richard are joined by Unipol chief executive Paddy Jackman, Tim Briggs, managing director of Legal Mentor and landlord Nick Duncan to discuss the very latest on the Bill’s progress through Parliament, and the potential implications for...
Episode 34: Energy efficiency and the affordability crisis
November 01, 2023 10:59 - 36 minutes - 21.8 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) look at the Government’s decision to abandon its plan to introduced a minimum EPC rating of C in rental homes. Ben and Richard talk to James Kent of NRLA compliance arm Safe2 about the decision and what it means, and to landlord Jill Lloyd who had already sold homes over fears they wouldn’t meet new standards, as well as paid for expensive improvements to other...
Episode 33: Lets with Pets and Conference Season
September 28, 2023 15:12 - 31 minutes - 18.8 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) look at the issue of pet friendly lets, and look ahead to Party Conference season, and the work the NRLA will be doing to represent landlords. We welcome Ben Parker, public affairs manager at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, to the show to discuss the challenges of pet friendly letting – as well as potential solutions – in light of the Government’s plans for rental...
Episode 32: Trade troubles and garden maintenance
August 30, 2023 10:31 - 27 minutes - 16.8 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) look at the rising cost of building materials and the challenges in sourcing labourers for development and improvement works. The most recent data from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) shows that 87% of FMB members said the cost of materials has increased and 75% said that this would lead to an increase in the price they charge to the customer. More than...
Episode 31 – Call to reverse benefit freeze and giving something back to your community
July 26, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 14.7 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenter Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) discusses NRLA calls to reverse the decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates – a move which has seen more and more tenants struggling to make ends meet. LHA rates are used to calculate benefit payments for housing costs. Historically rates were set at the average rental price for an area, with the sum regularly reviewed. However the rate was reduced to the 30th percentile in 2011. They were ...
Episode 30: Building safety funding and challenging times in Wales
June 29, 2023 10:29 - 28 minutes - 18.5 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenter Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) is flying solo to examine the thorny issue of funding for building safety works. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy new fire safety requirements have left tens of thousands of tower blocks across the country requiring vital remedial works, with the argument over who should fund these works still raging. The Building Safety Act was intended to provide financial remedy for blocks of 11m or higher ...
Episode 29 - A Renters Reform Special
June 01, 2023 18:25 - 34 minutes - 21.6 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) welcome experts from across the property industry to examine the newly released Renters (Reform) Bill. Ben and Richard are joined by property and housing commentators Kate Faulkner, MD of Designs on Property and independent property adviser, Ed Mead along with landlord and investor Jamie York. Together they dissect the Bill, published on May 18th and explo...
Episode 28 - Anti-social behaviour and investment
April 26, 2023 22:27 - 26 minutes - 15.9 MBIn this edition of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine the recent Government announcements on anti-social behaviour and look at the latest advice when it comes to investing in property in turbulent economic times. Ben and Richard talk to landlord Alan Deeley, who used a Section 21 notice to regain possession of his property after suffering at the hands of anti-social tenants. With Section 21 to be abolish...
Episode 27 - Clive Betts MP housing special
March 31, 2023 09:07 - 26 minutes - 16.6 MBLast month an influential select committee announced it would be recommending NRLA proposals on rental reform to the Government. This month Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee and Labour MP Clive Betts joins presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) to explain why the plans – on everything from court reform to a review of landlord tax – are so vital when it comes to reforming the sector. During a wide-r...
Episode 26 - Rent to rent and news from north of the border
March 03, 2023 09:04 - 33 minutes - 20.1 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine the controversial issue of rent to rent and look north of the border to see how changes in the rental market in Scotland should act as a warning over the potential impact of rental reform. This week we learned the outcome of the Rakusen v Jepson rent-to-rent appeal, in which the Supreme Court ruled a Rent Repayment Order cannot be made against a ...
Episode 25: Walker Report Special
January 31, 2023 22:39 - 33 minutes - 20.5 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) welcome experts from across the property industry to examine new research focussing on the private rented sector and its wider role within society. An exclusive new research report ‘A housing market that works for everyone: Rethinking the role of the private rented sector’ has been commissioned by the NRLA, highlighting the unique social and economic functio...
Episode 24 - A Christmas and New Year Special
December 21, 2022 13:03 - 31 minutes - 19.3 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) welcome experts from across the property industry to look back over the last 12 months and look ahead to what 2023 may hold. It's been a turbulent year, with three prime ministers and increasing economic uncertainty, with high demand and dwindling supply leaving many warning of an impending crisis in the sector. With cheap mortgage rates a thing of the pas...
Episode 23 – Disaggregation and a new project to tackle homelessness
November 30, 2022 15:59 - 27 minutes - 17.2 MBIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to Daryn Brewer, Managing Director of house share company Prop Pods about the issue of disaggregation. Disaggregation sees Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) split into individual units for taxation purposes, rather than the property being treated as a single dwelling. Where this happens landlords can see council tax bills soar by thousands of pounds ...
Episode 22 – Turmoil in the mortgage market and what next for the PRS?
October 19, 2022 23:02 - 36 minutes - 23.5 MBIn this edition of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) examine the recent turmoil in the mortgage market, talking to expert guests Kate Faulkner (@katefaulkner) and Doug Hall about the impact on landlords. Property commentator and analyst, Kate and Doug, who is director of NRLA mortgage partner 3MC, look back at what’s happened over the last few weeks and reflect on the further changes they expect to see in the ...
Episode 21: Rental reform: Ben Beadle in conversation with Shelter’s Polly Neate
September 30, 2022 07:39 - 33 minutes - 21 MBIn this special edition of Listen Up Landlords NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Shelter Chief Executive Polly Neate get round the table to talk all things rental reform. Hosted by presenter Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) the show examines responses to the long-awaited Government White Paper, published in June this year. While the two organisations may seem poles apart in their approach - most notably over the Conservative’s manifesto pledge to abolish Section 21 repos...
Episode 20 – Holiday lets and the future of the housing market
August 29, 2022 21:11 - 34 minutes - 21.5 MBIn this edition of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to Merilee Karr, Chair of the Short Term Accommodation Association about the Government review of holiday lets and their impact on the UK housing market. Merliee, who is also founder and CEO of short-term accommodation company Under The Doormat shares her thoughts on the review, how any future licensing or registration scheme could work, and the impact o...
Episode 19: Shared homes and household pests
July 26, 2022 15:55 - 39 minutes - 25 MBIn this edition of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) take a look at the unique challenges - and benefits - of letting shared homes. Guests David Smith, a partner at JMW Solicitors and HMO landlord Andy Graham talk to Ben and Richard about everything from planning and legislation, to what to do if one of your tenants stops paying rent. Catherine Behdad looks at the issues concerning landlords calling our suppo...
Episode 18: A Rental Reform special
June 21, 2022 21:46 - 33 minutes - 21.1 MBIn a special edition of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) take a deep dive into the Government’s new Rental Reform white paper. Ben and Richard look behind the headlines to explore the document which includes well-publicised proposals to axe Section 21, with plans to introduce nine new mandatory grounds for possession. They will discuss what we know so far, as well as outlining areas where the association wil...
Episode 17: The Queen's Speech - what does it mean for landlords
May 20, 2022 10:58 - 29 minutes - 18.4 MBIn a special edition of Listen Up Landlords presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) take a deep dive into the detail included in this month’s Queen’s Speech. The Government once more renewed its commitment to axing Section 21, with announcements on plans to strengthen repossession rights following NRLA campaigning. Ben and Richard look behind the headlines to explore the new proposals, outlining what we know so far and how plans will ...
Episode 16: Local authority enforcement and lets with pets
April 29, 2022 09:30 - 29 minutes - 18.5 MBThis month we take a deep dive into the issues of local authority enforcement and lets with pets. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) are joined by NRLA Policy Officer Sam Watkin, co-author of the NRLA’s recent report on the enforcement lottery when it comes to local authorities and their approach to housing standards in the PRS. The report shows an alarming disparity in levels of enforcement by local authorities against poor property conditio...
Episode 15: Decent Homes Standard and Landlord Redress
April 01, 2022 10:17 - 30 minutes - 18.4 MBWith plans afoot to extend the Decent Homes Standard to include the PRS, in this month’s episode of Listen Up Landlords, we take a look at the impact any changes could have, as well as shining the spotlight on landlord redress. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) are joined by Gavin Dick, NRLA Local Authority Policy Officer as well as Tim Frome of the Property Redress Scheme. Gavin talks to Ben and Richard about the implications of extending ...
Episode 14 – Tackling the supply crisis and NRLA tax calls
February 23, 2022 10:12 - 40 minutes - 25.2 MBThe supply crisis facing the private rented sector has been looming for some time, with latest statistics showing the sector will need to provide an additional 230,000 homes a year by the middle of the decade. The data comes from a report by consultancy Capital Economics, commissioned by the NRLA, which has now set up a Rental Supply Working Group to tackle the issue. Made up of stakeholders from across the sector, it is meeting regularly to establish what the current challenges are,...
Episode 13 – Rising utilities bills and training latest
January 28, 2022 09:50 - 33 minutes - 20.7 MBRising utilities charges have been hitting the headlines for a number of months, and with the energy bills price cap set to rise from £1,277 to over £2,000 in April we look at how landlords – and their tenants – will be affected. Presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to landlord Elahe Taylor, who offers rentals with and without bundled bills about how she is planning to manage the impact of increased charges. They also welcome S...
Episode 12: Letting lens – what the next 12 months could hold for landlords
December 17, 2021 13:15 - 37 minutes - 22.8 MBAs the year draws to a close, presenters Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) are joined by a panel of experts to look ahead to what 2022 could hold for landlords. We welcome Vanessa Warwick, broadcaster and founder of online community Property Tribes, Russell Quirk, co-founder of property PR agency Proper PR, Theresa Wallace, head of customer service for lettings at Savills and Hertfordshire-based portfolio landlord Jamie Fraser. Covering everything from legisla...
Episode 11: The latest on lending and winter maintenance
December 02, 2021 16:39 - 36 minutes - 22.6 MBWith rumours of interest rate rises, this month’s episode of Listen Up Landlords looks at the latest on lending. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) are joined by NRLA policy director Chris Norris and Doug Hall of mortgage provider 3mc to discuss all things financial. They examine where rates and heading and what the impact could be on existing landlords and those planning to enter the market. Elsewhere Catherine Behdad of the NRLA advice t...
Episode 10: The latest on student lets
October 28, 2021 20:51 - 39 minutes - 23.6 MBWith more than 10% of landlords letting to students, in this month’s episode of Listen Up Landlords, we take a look at what’s going on in the land of student lets. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) – a student landlord himself - and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) are joined by Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed, assistant chief executive at national student housing charity Unipol and Simon Thompson of website accommodationforstudents.com to discuss the latest news in the sector. Th...
Episode 9: Letting to refugees and help with hoarding
September 29, 2021 20:46 - 35 minutes - 21.6 MBNo-one can fail to have been moved by the sight of tens of thousands of Afghan people flocking to Kabul Airport following the fall of the city to the Taliban in August. The UK Government is funding a scheme to welcome and house up to 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan with 5,000 expected in the first year and this month presenter Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talks to Dr Krish Kandiah, (@krishk) Director of charity coalition Afghan Welcome about how private landlords can help. Krish a...
Episode 8: Landlords on the cladding crisis and how to manage remote lettings
August 25, 2021 13:56 - 30 minutes - 18.3 MBAround 750,000 landlords are believed to have been affected by the cladding crisis, with many now facing crippling costs for remedial works and additional safety measures such as waking watches. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to Steve Bagnall, a landlord whose buy-to-let is in one of the blocks affected, and faces a bill of up to £50,000 to make it safe. Andrew Bulmer of the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) also jo...
Episode 7: Tackling anti-social behaviour and transforming commercial buildings into new homes
July 28, 2021 14:05 - 33 minutes - 20.7 MBWith July 19-25th marking the annual antisocial behaviour awareness week, we speak to the experts about what landlords can do to tackle the issue and how mediation can help. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to guests Julie Ford, a mediator from the Property Redress Scheme and Chris Grose from Capsticks Solicitors on the tools landlords have at their disposal to tackle the issue - and how talking can help. Elsewhere in the show Dan Cumm...
Episode 6: The state of the courts and ethical lettings
July 02, 2021 09:37 - 35 minutes - 20.9 MBIn this month’s episode of Listen Up Landlords we look at the state of the courts as Covid-19 restrictions are eased and talk ethical lettings with landlord Lorraine Thomas. Presenter Richard Blanco (@richardblanco) talks to guest Paul Shamplina, founder of evictions specialist Landlord Action about what can be seen happening in the courts as restrictions are lifted and repossessions can begin again. Elsewhere in the show Catherine Behdad, of the NRLA advice team talks about the hot to...
TV’s Martin Roberts talks buying at auction and online agents take on the high street
May 28, 2021 09:48 - 36 minutes - 21.6 MBIn this month’s episode of Listen Up Landlords we compare the relative merits of high street and online agents – and welcome Homes Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts who shares his top tips on buying at auction and property investment Two years after the rollout of the Tenant Fees Act, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to guests Michael Cook, National Lettings Managing Director at Leaders Roman’s group and Calum Brannan (@Ca...
Episode 4: Debt management in a pandemic – and keeping your tenants safe
April 30, 2021 09:03 - 30 minutes - 18.2 MBIn this episode we discuss the issue of debt – for both landlords and tenants - as the country begins to open up after the pandemic. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to Elena, a landlord whose tenants have refused to pay rent during the pandemic and Andy Shaw of debt advice charity StepChange (@StepChange) Elena was left struggling after her tenants stopped paying and she lost her job. She says there is little help out there for landlo...
Episode 3: Adaptation crisis in the PRS? As well as top tips for becoming a young landlord
March 26, 2021 10:16 - 32 minutes - 18.9 MBIn this episode we discuss new adaptations guidance for private sector landlords, which was launched by the NRLA this week, and look at the unique challenges faced by younger landlords starting out in the business. With an ageing population and research showing four out of five disabled people are living in properties that do not meet their needs, demand for adapted homes is high, however supply is low. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk...
Episode 2: Boosting energy performance and the furnished/unfurnished debate
February 25, 2021 13:11 - 35 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this episode we discuss the Government’s plans to increase energy efficiency in rented homes, the challenges faced by student landlords and whether furnished or unfurnished lets are more popular. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to guests landlord James Tanner and Kate Thomas on energy efficiency and the Government’s Green Homes Grants scheme. James has carried out energy improvements on his Edwardian rental home to raise its EPC r...
Episode 1: A new beginning - is this the shape of things to come for the PRS?
January 28, 2021 11:31 - 45 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode we discuss the NRLA’s (@nrlassociation) Renters’ Reform Bill response, outlining the NRLA’s proposals for a post-Section 21 PRS. Presenters NRLA CEO Ben Beadle (@BeadleBen) and Richard Blanco (@richardblanco_) talk to guests landlord and campaigner James Fraser and landlord and agent Susan Aktemel on the potential implications of the bill and the NRLA response to the plans. James outlines landlord concerns over the impact of the bill on both landlords and tenants and give...