Newsroom Archive

The winners were announced at a ceremony at the Holiday Inn Telford last night.

More than 90 nominations were received for the 3 award categories, which made the job for the judges tough.  

Cllr Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Enforcement, said: “We are very lucky to work with dedicated and committed people who want to make a difference to the sector in the borough.

“Everyone who was nominated is a winner in my eyes, but my huge congratulations have to go the winners.  You are what make our borough great.  Thank you also to all those who nominated and to our sponsors for helping to make the awards a memorable occasion.  

“I hope that together we have helped to inspire others to make a difference to the private rented sector in Telford and Wrekin.”

Sponsoring the awards was the Wrekin Housing Trust the borough’s largest social housing landlord who work closely with private landlords providing a range of services, which benefit landlords, tenants and the community.

Wayne Gethings Interim Chief Executive of The Wrekin Housing Group said: “The Better Homes For All Awards were a celebration of the best in the private rented sector in the borough.  We hope the winners have inspired others in the sector to help improve standards, which is something as private landlords, social landlords and the local authority will continue working together to achieve.

“We are delighted with the positive response of the awards from the public and landlords and agents in the borough.

“It has been tough selecting a shortlist from the entries as everyone deserves to be recognised”.

The winners are:

Best Tenant – Bart and Beata Wojtowicz

Bart and Beata were described as “the most amazing tenants that anyone could wish for”.  They have helped bring their neighbours together and created a family like community.

Best Landlord – Camelot Properties

Over the years Camelot Properties have focused on working with their tenants to provide a good, long term, home for them together with support when things go wrong.  Camelot Properties is very much a family business, aimed at families, run by a family.

Best Lettings Agent – iHomes Lettings Agent

iHome Lettings Ltd. are a letting agency that caters for tenants from diverse backgrounds.  They offer expert advice and support for those seeking housing via benefit channels, such as Universal Credit.  They manage properties on behalf of landlords throughout the region, adopting a hands on approach, to facilitate a hassle free experience for both the tenant and property owner. 

The runners up are:

Best Tenant – Kevin and Christie Prentice

Best Landlord – Steve Meyrick

Best Lettings Agent – Happy House Lettings Limited

A special commendation award was presented to tenant Sarah Lee from the Wrekin Housing Trust in recognition of the help, advice and guidance she provided her neighbours.

Kelly Davies was also presented a special commendation from the council for her personal contribution to the private rented sector.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme (which is part of the Council’s Better Homes For All package) provides landlords and lettings agents the opportunity to sign up to a code of conduct and offers training and advice to support their private housing lettings while giving tenants reassurance that their landlord is committed to a set of standards for tenants. 

The package ensures landlords achieve certain criteria to get their accreditation and to improve standards of privately rented accommodation and living standards.

The Better Homes For All scheme also includes a new Rogue Landlord taskforce to crackdown and prosecute bad landlords who provide substandard accommodation.

For more information visit www.telfordhomefinder.co.uk

A gallery of photo’s from the evening can be seen here.