Episode 4: Debt management in a pandemic – and keeping your tenants safe

In 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 landlords left in the lurch. Andy talks about demand for debt advice over the past 12 months – and what the charity expects to see over the next year – as well as outlining the Government’s new Breathing Space scheme. Breathing Space is being introduced next month and will see tenants given a ‘break’ from debts to set up repayment plans. Elsewhere in the show Dan Cumming, of the NRLA advice team talks about the hot topics on the phonelines throughout the month. We also meet Andrew Chalk of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) (@BBSANews) who talks us through its ongoing Make it Safe campaign to prevent injuries or deaths occurring as a result of children becoming entangled in blind cords. Andrew talks about the importance of checking your blinds and making sure they are safe, as well as running through the options you have when it comes to safety measures. He is joined by Ashely Martin of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) (@RoSPA) who gives more general advice about home safety checks for landlords. If you enjoyed the show please spread the word on your social media channels using the hashtag #listenuplandlords . For all podcast enquiries email [email protected] Guest Biographies Andrew Chalk has been Director of Operations at the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) for 12 years having been involved in the industry since 1998. He has been closely involved with the BBSA’s window blind safety campaign, Make it Safe, since it was established in 2009. Ashley Martin is the Public Health Adviser for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Ashley is responsible for advising on home safety policy, working with the public, national and local government, the health service, business and charity sectors and other safety organisations. More information To read more about the NRLA proposals for a comprehensive package of financial support for the sector in the wake of the pandemic click here. For further details on the Breathing Space scheme click here.