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Pat also runs: http://tarot4you.co.uk/training-couse-tarot-readings-future/

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Hi There,

Self employed clerks for companies is something that appears as very common within our profession.

If taking them on a strong sub contractors contract is important to define the role and responsibilities.

Also if not wishing to be part of the negative sides of what is referred to as the Gig economy, pay fairly and make sure jobs go over minimum set wages at all times.

Danny Zane

Yes indeed. The AIIC were by myself and Emma represented at the NALS (National Approved Letting Scheme) forum for the consultation process on 15 May 2017. We have been unable to discuss as yet as it was by Chatham House rules and closed/confidential. In brief what we can state is our argument centered upon the importance of an independent Inventory Companies within the Industry and a specific request that inventory fees be not included within any proposed restrictions on Agents Fees. We made it very clear that if our fees were included in any ban then the industry as a whole would suffer, leading to less protection for both landlords and tenants and ultimately more disputes and consequent pressure on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. We also continued our new battle with the housing ministers policy writers to get the new, stronger, lobbying AIIC to push for compulsory unbiased reporting on all new tenancy agreements in the UK. Also present and therefore in receipt of our views were representatives from the Cabinet Office, Referencing Agencies and PI & PL Insurers. Hopefully we shall soon be able to make more on this important subject available to all.

Danny Zane & Emma Glencross

01 June 2017

We wish to reward your support with an update on some issues that may be the subject of concern and at the same time reassure you all that progress is being made in the many directions of upgrade and modification that have become necessary as a result of website hacking and server interruption.

1) To ensure future website efficiency and security, independent IT Consultants have been instructed to cost and oversee effective improvements; their work is ongoing and, whilst occasional interruptions in communications may result, progress is being made and a further report will follow.

2) To clarify, an EGM has not been officially requested in writing but the new Council members feel duty bound to be both fair and transparent and once the current administrative and technical difficulties are overcome then Notice of an EGM will be published under the terms of Para 6 of the Association’s Constitution.

3) As any organisation of our standing would find it difficult to proceed without an Hon. Treasurer and given that this position has been vacated and the refilling of it must result from a vote of a General Meeting, it has been necessary to temporarily fill that void by appointing an independent Accountant as an interim arrangement which will obviously be subject to formal ratification at the EGM.

4) Due to the suddenness surrounding the Council changes together with the unexpected complications already highlighted, there is a significant load on resources during the transition but given the best endeavours of us all we hope to be posting more detailed updates on a regular basis in the future.

The idea of this update is both to keep the membership informed as well as answering some general questions that have arisen, quite understandably, over recent weeks. A further update will follow in a week or two with yet more positive news during which time we all hope that your businesses continue to flourish and use of the active Forum does not diminish. But should anyone still have specific queries that have not been covered then do please forward them to centraloffice@theaiic.co.uk

Best Wishes,

Emma Glencross and Danny Zane

JOINT CHAIRS, AIIC COUNCIL

Minutes of the AIIC 2017 Annual General Meeting.

3rd. March 2017 – Held at Novotel West, Hammersmith.

1) Apologies.

Received from – Robert Bone, Joan Colk, Kate Fuller, Elizabeth Overton, Jenny Stiff.

2) Minutes of the 2016 AGM

Proposed as a correct record – Gaynor Jaffa. Seconded – Darren EA Inventories.

3) Matters Arising.

There were none.

4) Chairman’s Report.

Patricia Barber, AIIC Chairman, reported that: the AIIC has continued to grow with currently 815 members (last year 666). We are grateful to have Joan Colk who is now our dedicated Membership Administrator, a clerk with 25+ years of experience. Joan is available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Membership is broken down as: 281 Executive, 272 Full, 22 Associate, 4 Honorary. (3 members have now retired and only 1 has advised that they are not renewing.) We still have 56 members who have not renewed, these will now be deleted from our database and advised to remove all reference to AIIC from their marketing materials and reports.

New projects – we have now set up a Mentoring Service for new members. In response to many requests on our training courses we have a number of members, with 2 or more years of experience, who have offered their services for a fee. The AIIC have drawn up terms and conditions for this service to protect both parties and any mentoring arrangements will be strictly between those involved and not the AIIC.

PRS – Property Redress Scheme – we are unaware of any members having disputes raised under this adjudication scheme, however it is seen as a good membership benefit. It is not a legal requirement for clerks to offer financial protection to clients in the same way as it is for Letting Agents but shows a further level of professionalism. At the moment members opt to be part of the scheme or opt out.

Legal Helpline – Dutton Gregory has raised their fee this year from £250 to £2500 plus VAT. They are citing a big increase in calls in the last three months. The Council is to investigate other quotes.

Complaints – still very few and most of which are unwarranted with tenants or landlords complaining about a check out report and the contents. The AIIC complaints committee consists of – three council members – Patricia Barber, Danny Zane & Emma Glencross.

Patricia then added her thanks to the team on the Council for their continued hard work on behalf of the AIIC.

Training Courses – These are still well attended. In the last few months we have added the facility of an online course which mirrors the 2 day weekend course.

At this point a member raised the question of whether there should be a cap on membership and should we provide more education for existing clerks.

Danny Zane reported that the Council have plans to ‘raise the bar’ on entry qualifications and on-going standards. He is meeting with a legal representative from Shelter to discuss inventories/legislation and other general matters to encourage some sort of AIIC endorsement from Shelter.

5) Treasurers Report.

All members had copies of the annual accounts. It was noted that both the savings account and current account were in a good condition.

One member (Phillippa Steed) queried why we had only made £3500 profit on training. Patricia explained that as a not for profit organisation it is important that we make some profit from every activity we cover and that the bank balances are sufficient for our needs at the present. Historically we have never made huge profits from training due to overheads (venue, trainers etc.). But training is the main way that we bring new members into the AIIC.

6) Election of Council Members.

All current members were happy to stand again this year. There were no other nominations/volunteers. This was: Proposed by Darren/EA Inventories and Seconded by Phillippa Steed.

9) Any Other business.

Phillippa Steed noted that ‘situations Vacant’ were on the member’s forum this year and asked is the AIIC could provide a similar service for holiday cover. The Council agreed that this is not something we can provide, this should be organised by members themselves via the forum and online clerk directory. Holiday cover is always difficult and members need to source a clerk they are happy to make this sort of arrangement with.

Phillippa also suggested having some sort of software, the Chairman advised that the expense of this has not made this a viable option so far. Morse investigations & discussion to take place at the next Council Meeting.

Gaynor Jaffa asked is the AIIC could run a legal workshop, possibly half day. The Council agreed to discuss this as part of the future CPD (continuing professional development) plans and report back to members.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.