Corey Ashford and Jaki Staddon from Dawsons are celebrating after becoming accredited Relocation Agent (RAN) specialists.

The accreditation was awarded by RAN and is achieved by completing a comprehensive online training programme.

Corey is based in Dawsons’ Marina Office while Jaki works out of the Gorseinon office.

RAN, a national network of relocation agents of which Dawsons is a member, introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.

“We take staff development very seriously and Corey and Jaki’s Relocation Network accreditation is a great example of what can be achieved when staff are supported properly to improve their skill set,” said Dawsons Senior Partner Chris Hope.

“Of course, having a Relocation Agent specialist in a team is also great for our relocating customers.”

Jaki said: “I am proud to be part of Dawsons who are the RAN selected agent aiding clients who move out of our area and reassuring them that the agents we refer them to are of the same high standard as ourselves.

“We expect to provide trust and quality of service and along with other elite agents across the country, we aim to provide a special service to ease the transition of clients relocating.”

Corey said: “Involving our clients with other RAN agents across the country makes the transaction progress a lot smoother as we can keep a close link with the other agents involved in the chain.

“Being an Accredited Relocation Specialist gives me a great starting point, which no other local agents can offer, for my future development within the company.”

Richard Tucker, RAN’s Managing Director, says it is important to have reputable local RAN agents such as Dawsons.

“Selected by us as the best independent estate agent to represent the Network in the Swansea area spanning as far as Llanelli, Dawsons have proved themselves as the area’s local expert,” said RAN’s Managing Director Richard Tucker.

“So with the addition of an in-house Relocation Network specialist, they have gone one step further to provide relocating buyers and sellers with the very best customer service.”

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With the changes in buy-to-let tax relief and the potential rise, yet again, in interest rates dominating the economic headlines, you could be forgiven for missing a small but important change made by the government during the 2015 summer budget.

It has not been shouted about, nor has it been explained particularly well but, within the next three years, some rather dramatic changes to the Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) benefit are to be enacted.

Oliver Adair of Mortgage Advice Bureau discusses the benefits of SMI, the changes that are to be made within the next couple of years and how they could, potentially, affect home-owners.

What is Support for Mortgage Interest?

SMI can assist home-owners with the costs of their mortgage payments, though it should be noted that the scheme will not pay off your mortgage for you.

It will, however, contribute to paying off the mortgage interest.

The government will make interest payments on the first £200,000 of your outstanding mortgage directly to your lender for the period of time that you cannot afford to.

The amount that the government pays is based on its own specific interest rate known as the SMI Rate. This currently sits at 3.12 per cent but, with interest rates set to rise in 2016, this will increase alongside the Bank of England Bank Rate.

Can anyone apply for SMI?

To take advantage of the scheme, you need to be on some form of income-based benefit such as income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), employment and support allowance or pension credit.

Once these benefits stop, through you returning to work or working more hours, the government will stop making SMI payments.

Importantly, whilst there are no caps or limits for other benefits, if you are claiming JSA and have applied for SMI, you should be aware that the government payments made to your lender will only last a period of two years.

So, what changes have been made?

After claiming SMI, the first payments are made 13 weeks after application. However, it was announced during the Summer Budget that, from April 2016, this first period will be dramatically increased to 39 weeks after the home-owner has applied.

Particular notice should also be paid to the word “benefit” as, form April 2018, SMI will become a loan.

Why is this important?

Simply put – it is a loan. You will have to pay any money you get given back, plus interest (albeit at particularly low rates).

It is still in its early stages and is not yet confirmed but, if made law, anyone claiming SMI will have to pay back any amount that the government pay into their mortgage when they return to work or when they sell their property.

Seek advice…

With these changes potentially having a large effect on home-owners, it is important to speak to a professional mortgage adviser who will be able to guide you through the next steps in making sure that you receive as much help as possible.

Dawsons Estate Agents are advising on a dramatic and imminent change in lettings legislation that will mean landlords and letting agents throughout Wales having to be licensed.

The exact date of that implementation has yet to be announced by the Welsh Assembly Government but Rent Smart Wales, the WAG agency providing guidance and information for landlords, agents and tenants, was launched ahead of the implementation of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

The new legislation and Rent Smart Wales will replace the existing voluntary scheme, which has been operated by Cardiff Council on behalf of all local authorities in Wales.

Although the Rent Smart Wales website is not yet fully operational agents and landlords will be able to apply for licences through it.

The scheme will require all private landlords to register both themselves and their properties. It will allow tenants to check whether their landlord is registered.

If the landlord wants to manage their own property, they will need to undertake training and demonstrate they are “fit and proper”.

Landlords who do not have a licence to manage their own properties would have to appoint a licensed agent to manage the property on their behalf. The agent will also have to undergo approved training.

Basically, if you own or manage a house in Wales, occupied by someone other than yourself in return for a rent, this new law will almost certainly apply to you.

After the first year of operation, enforcement powers will be introduced in autumn 2016, including fixed penalties and prosecutions.

Rent Smart Wales aims to raise standards in the private rented sector in Wales with the introduction of a new law requiring the registration and licensing of landlords and agents.

After the initial year of operation, in autumn 2016, the range of enforcement powers in the Housing Act (such as fixed penalty notices and prosecutions) will be introduced.

Landlords and agents found to be ignoring their new obligations will have action taken against them by local authorities and the licensing authority.