Commitee Members
Roger Dobson
As well as being a landlord himself, Roger is an experienced property manager and has been managing rented properties in York since 2003. Through his extensive experience of managing both student and professional lets he has built up a good knowledge of the York lettings market and understands the challenges faced by landlords today. He is keen to ensure that all landlords are providing good quality housing and excellent levels of service to tenants in York. He believes the York RLA is a key organisation in helping landlords keep up to date with relevant local and national issues and has served on the York RLA Committee since 2007.
Johanne Spittle
Johanne is a solicitor and Director at Ware & Kay solicitors based in York. She graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1983 and qualified as a solicitor in 1986. Johanne specialises in the resolution of property related disputes and has a particular interest in landlord and tenant law acting for landlords of residential, agricultural and commercial property. She is a member of the Property Litigation Association and is a Fellow of the Agricultural Lawyers Association.
Nigel Deamer
Nigel was born, raised and educated in York. He started his working career at the age of 16 and served his apprenticeship as a decorator with D.W. Cook who was based in Heslington. He ran his own business for 42 years, the first 14 in a partnership and latterly as a sole trader when he retired in 2015. He is a member of the Painting and Decorating Association, currently serving on both Regional and National Councils, and has done for the last 15 years. He has been a landlord for the last 18 years and joined the York RLA a number of years ago which has given him a lot of valuable information due to the ever changing legislation. He strongly believes that being a member of Associations it is essential members show interest in the running of the affairs and not leave it entirely to others.
Nick Jemmett
Nick was born and educated in York. He graduated from the University of Newcastle in 1983 before working as a mechanical engineer organising the maintenance and repair of heavy earth moving machinery. During this time he was also involved in the family farming business and started letting his first house to students from York’s College of Law. Now over 34 years later Nick has gained considerable experience in the purchase, refurbishment and on-going management of other properties let to students. He has been a member of York RLA since it’s inception in 1995 and previously served on the committee in the early days of the association. He was one of the first members to receive a ‘Good Landlord’s Award’ from Higher York, a scheme set up by the Students’ Unions of York’s Universities and Colleges to highlight those who have provided exceptional level of service to their tenants. Nick continues to take an active interest in all aspects of the student accommodation market in York.
Giles Webster
Giles is a Chartered Accountant for over twenty years and trained with Ernst & Young. He has held a number of finance, operational and strategic roles across a range of businesses and industries. Giles has a keen interest in both HMO and non HMO properties, the national and local challenges facing landlords, plus the housing sector itself. Giles has been a member of York RLA since 216 and joined the Committee in 2023.