Q&A: Get to know NRLA adviser Craig

In the latest of our meet the team blogs, get to know one of our advisers, Craig Purvis (pictured below) better.

Craig is one of several advisers on the landlord advice team who provides advice on tenancy regulations in Wales. With housing in England and Wales devolved, Craig helps landlords with properties in both countries understand tenancy regulations. 

Here, we chat to Craig about some fo the changes ahead for landlords in Wales this year, what he enjoys the most about being an NRLA adviser and his favourite piece of advice.

Read more in our series of Q&A blogs. Get to know NRLA Wales representative Gill Owens and NRLA Wales operations manager, Steve Bletsoe. 

Hi Craig. Great to meet you! Tell us a bit about you. What is your role at the NRLA?

Hello! I'm Craig, I live in Manchester with my partner, but I am originally from East Yorkshire. We’ve recently bought our first house so we’re still in the process of doing this up. My role within the NRLA is as an Adviser on our Advice Line so my job is to give landlords the advice and support they need so they can efficiently create and manage their tenancies.

What do you enjoy the most about your job role?

I really enjoy helping people. Being a landlord can be intimidating with all of the regulations to consider and the documents to provide but by speaking with us on the advice line, we can help support members with most issues they may have and knowing you’ve helped that person is great because one phone call to us can save them time, headaches and money.

What does the road ahead look like for landlords in Wales?

I think the next few months, at first glance, may look quite difficult with all the upcoming changes but once we investigate the changes, I actually think it will make it so much easier to rent in Wales. There will be more flexibility in managing contracts and more opportunity to help contract holders with any issues they may face, such as a sole contract holder wanting to leave a joint contract.

You're used to giving advice every day to our members, but what’s the best piece of advice that you’ve received? (this could be professionally or even in general)

I travelled to London with a friend recently and due to travel home by coach. The coach company completely forgot to supply a bus and we were concerned how to get home. The coach station assistance, while trying to source an alternative coach, said to us “Don’t worry about something until it happens, and once it’s happened there’s nothing to worry about”. Initially this did not sit well as we were stressed over how to get from London to Manchester but on reflection, he was correct. There is no point worrying about something until it happens, but then once it’s happened there’s no point worrying further.

Great advice! What do you like to do in your spare time outside of working for the NRLA?

Outside of work I try to stay as active as I can. I enjoy going to the gym, swimming and I’ve got a hike coming up in June for Macmillan Cancer research. I enjoy travelling and going on holiday as much as possible, I’m booked to go on a cruise this Summer. I’ve also started an attempt at teaching myself some basic Spanish to help us along the way.