Guernsey Private Residential Landlords Association launches website

Wednesday 21 July 2010

The Guernsey Private Residential Landlords Association (GPRLA) has collaborated with the States of Guernsey Housing Department to create a new website that provides up-to-date information and advice for landlords and tenants alike.

The website, created by Fiona Malley and Mark Helyer of Smart Media Ltd, is stylish and easy to use and acts as a starting point for those wishing to learn more about being a landlord, various codes of good practice and for tenants wishing to know more about their tenancy agreements.

In addition to a variety of information pages that include latest news, FAQs, useful links and a glossary of ‘letting’ terms there is also a private members area where local landlords can gain access to the GPRLA full Guide to Letting and the GPRLA Plain English Lease, which is Advocate approved and now being used widely by Association members.

GPRLA Chairman Clive Maides said that the website had taken considerable time to draw together and fully represented the aim of the Association to support best practice in letting without the need for overly restrictive legislation.

‘The site is comprised of the latest information relating to the Letting industry and offers solutions and support for a wide variety of queries associated with renting a property – whether you are the landlord or tenant.

‘We have liaised closely with the States of Guernsey Housing Department to ensure that all information offered is clear and provides a helpful support mechanism for landlords in the private sector.

‘There are a great many people opting to purchase property as an alternative investment and as such embarking on the path of becoming a private landlord and with all these things there is a considerable amount to consider and learn.

‘The site offers general advice and also an opportunity for those with further queries to email members of the GPRLA committee via an email form on the site. We are very grateful to the Housing Department for their assistance in helping this latest initiative come to fruition,’ he said.

Deputy Housing Minister Deputy Graham Guille said:

There are over 4,000 private sector rental properties in Guernsey so the Housing Department believes it is important that both landlords and tenants have access to the locally based advice and guidance that they need. The GPRLA’s new website promotes best practice and its initiatives, such as the new plain English lease being used by the GPRLA’s member landlords, will help landlords to build and maintain good relationships with their tenants. The Housing Department is keen to build on this so I therefore heartily recommend this website and would also strongly encourage local landlords to consider becoming members of the Association.