October 28th 2024.
As a responsible landlord, I feel the need to address the recent statement made by Keir Starmer regarding landlords not being considered "working people". While his words may have been intended to resonate with certain groups, they were both divisive and incorrect. In my opinion, it showed a lack of understanding about the realities of being a landlord. Allow me to shed some light on the matter.
Firstly, being a landlord is far from a passive role that simply generates easy money for little effort. It requires consistent effort, time, and adaptability, especially when balancing it with other work and personal commitments. I have a diverse property portfolio that includes family homes and house shares. Contrary to popular belief, my initial capital did not come from a wealthy background, but rather from personal savings.
As a landlord, I am responsible for managing tenant relationships, ensuring maintenance standards, and staying up-to-date with changing regulations. This means constantly juggling various responsibilities while also striving to provide quality housing. I believe that landlords like myself put far more than just money into the properties we own.
But being a landlord is just one facet of my career. My primary focus is property development, where I manage projects from planning through to completion. I also share insights as a public speaker on industry trends, leadership, and personal development. This allows me to bring a forward-thinking, empathetic approach to being a landlord, prioritizing clear communication and understanding.
In addition, my expertise as a Chartered Security Professional contributes to ensuring high safety standards across various projects. I strongly believe that building and maintaining human connections fosters trust and open communication, which ultimately leads to better tenant satisfaction.
Despite using a management company for certain responsibilities, there are always situations that require me, as the landlord, to step in directly. This can mean dealing with unique tenant needs, complex maintenance issues, or regulatory changes that need immediate attention. And let me tell you, these situations can arise at any time, even in the middle of the night. But I always make sure to maintain a direct line of communication with my tenants, as I believe it leads to a more personal and efficient approach.
It's frustrating when people assume that being a landlord is not actual work. I can assure you that it requires a significant amount of time, energy, and financial investment. I often dedicate up to five hours each week to managing my properties, and that's not including the time spent staying informed on regulatory changes and maintaining high standards.
One example of this is the Renters' Rights Bill 2024, which demands a lot of effort from landlords to understand and comply with. It's not as simple as just collecting rent and sitting back. Being a landlord is a demanding role that often feels like a second full-time job.
I remember one particularly busy day when I was preparing for a public speaking event and simultaneously dealing with a major maintenance issue at one of my properties. It required quick thinking and careful planning to balance both responsibilities. But that's just a glimpse into the daily reality of being a landlord.
In conclusion, I believe that landlords deserve more understanding and less ignorance. The assumption that being a landlord is an effortless and lucrative job is simply not true. And if Keir Starmer thinks otherwise, I challenge him to spend a day in my shoes. I guarantee he'd quickly change his mind. As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments on this topic.
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