Landlords in the Harrogate district are to be offered advice on retrofitting buildings to make them more environmentally sustainable.

Harrogate College is holding an information evening in partnership with Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, entitled Retrofit for Landlords.

It will take place from 6-7.30pm on Wednesday, November 2.

The event will aim to explain how ‘eco-refurbishment’ of buildings can improve efficiency, cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

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Harrogate College principal, Danny Wild, said:

“We look forward to welcoming many landlords to this event, where they can hear about the benefits of retrofitting.

“Working closely with local employers, to ensure our courses and training delivers the maximum possible benefit to them, is one of our key aims.

“We are also striving to become a net zero carbon college by 2030, as set out in our sustainability pledge, and supporting green skills like retrofitting aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals.

“So we are delighted to be teaming up with the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition to stage this event, which sets out how practical steps can be taken to help both our economy and the environment.”

Speakers include Sarah Stark, from Harrogate Borough Council, who will give details about a new council grant for landlords and who will answer questions about EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) regulations.

Representatives from York and North Yorkshire LEP will give presentations on the net-zero business toolkit and energy and retrofit options, respectively.

John Kerr from Zero Carbon Harrogate, will be discussing the work it is doing – including through teaming up with Harrogate College – to provide free retrofit training, and how landlords can access it.

Places at the event can be booked here:  www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/harrogate-college-retrofit-event-tickets-425667923217.

It’s the end of an era for pub landlords Marik Scatchard and Jo Jarvis who have left Christies Bar in Harrogate after over 14 years.

The couple had a leaving party this week to toast the end of their time at the pub, which is opposite Harrogate Convention Centre on Kings Road.

The watering hole has now closed for a refurbishment that is expected to take around six weeks.

The couple said:

“Thanks to all the customers over the years.”

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Harrogate Borough Council revealed today that it has fined seven landlords a total of £109,000 since 2018 for failing to comply with private sector housing requirements.

The council said in a press release it most recently took action against landlord Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani, who failed to comply with an improvement notice on his property on the High Street in Starbeck.

According to the release, the council found several hazards including excess cold, structural issues and kitchen safety issues. He was fined £25,000.

Mr Jalali-Ghazaani appealed the penalty in September but a property tribunal dismissed it.

The council said it had successfully defended every appeal made by private landlords, including a fine of £15,000 for Stephen Archer’s Providence Terrace property, a fine of £13,500 for Andrew Norman’s Dragon Road property and Kingspark Limited’s £15,000 fine for its property on Electric Avenue.

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In addition, the council has also issued financial penalties totalling £40,589 against landlords of other properties did not appeal the penalty.

The release was published days after the council was criticised by residents for not taking firmer action against to prevent trouble at the privately-let 38 Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, which has been the subject of 255 police reports since 2008.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“While there are no doubt many landlords who provide excellent residential accommodation, there will sadly always be those who put the financial gain ahead of the safety of their tenants.

“This is an important reminder for landlords that as the housing authority we have the powers, and where necessary, will use them to protect tenants and residents. And hopefully encourage landlords to improve housing standards in the private rental sector.”