Johnny Lighten

Contact: johnny.lighten@landlords.org.uk

Originally from Lancashire, Johnny worked in locations across the world with the Army before settling in the North East with his partner, where he is now NLA regional Representative for Durham and Cleveland.

Despite having come home to roost, he maintains his passion for the armed forces by working for the Territorial Army. He also runs a small business buying and refurbishing properties. His principal responsibility as NLA regional Representative is to maintain a dialogue with the North East Assembly and a total of 23 Councils on a variety of issues affecting the private-rented sector. He also offers assistance to landlords on such matters as accreditation standards, the Housing Act 2004, and health and safety standards. In Newcastle, a city with a vibrant University population, student housing is also a hot topic.

Johnny finds that his active involvement with both government bodies and landlords at a grass-roots level gives him a unique perspective. When communicating with the Assembly, for example, he is able to raise landlords' real concerns, using practical examples. Equally, he finds his policy-related work gives him a clear understanding of complex legislation, such as tenancy deposits.

Johnny says that he finds communicating these issues to confused landlords particularly rewarding: "some landlords I meet have stumbled into buy-to-let without having a clear idea about the policy issues affecting the market or what their legal responsibilities are.

It's great to be able to clarify their queries." Johnny strongly recommends landlords, whatever their experience, attend a landlord development course. "When I started out, I thought I fully understood about being a landlord from my experience of letting one property; I was wrong. Owning multiple properties is infinitely demanding; as well as matters such as collecting rent, you will have to deal with tradesmen, accounting, and a whole host of other issues. Knowing how to market yourself to your chosen audience is another essential skill that a development course can help you with." Another skill Johnny has had to develop is managing his time. "Fundamentally, you need to consider how much time you have to devote to being a landlord in addition to existing professional and family commitments.

I find myself on call to 28 tenants, 7 days a week, and have to be flexible as a result.