Landlords struggle to follow changing rules

Landlords who are struggling to meet their obligations in Greater Manchester say they face difficulties keeping up with changes to policy and regulation.

Research from the TDS Charitable Foundation will now underpin a programme called Better Renting to help landlords understand and comply with their responsibilities.

Nationally, 21% of landlords say they find it difficult to keep up with changes to the laws and regulations affecting their properties.

MPs on the cross-party Housing Select Committee have also highlighted the importance of addressing unintentional non-compliance.

Barriers to landlord compliance

Dr Jennifer Harris, head of policy at The Dispute Service Group, said: “The vast majority of landlords want to do what is right for their tenants and remain compliant with all their obligations.

“However, our research shows that fragmented channels of communication and difficulties accessing official resources are making this harder than it should.”

She added: “Working with partners across the region, Better Renting will develop the resources needed to ensure landlords across Greater Manchester have what they need, when they need it, to meet their obligations at a pivotal moment for the sector.”

Help with licensing requirements

The Better Renting programme will provide a new website as a single point for landlords across Greater Manchester to access compliance support.

It will also develop and test initiatives to improve understanding of landlord responsibilities, including licensing requirements.

Alongside that work, councils and other organisations will receive resources to help them work and communicate effectively with landlords.

The programme is intended to support implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act and help tenants benefit from more consistent compliance.

Support for landlord responsibilities

Almost 250,000 households across Greater Manchester live in the private rented sector, the research reveals.

The Dispute Service Group and the Nationwide Foundation are leading the project, which follows the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter identifying a need to improve landlord compliance rates.

Its launch comes as the Government implements reforms including ending no fault repossessions, developing a private rented sector database and ombudsman, and introducing new energy efficiency standards for rented homes.

Paul Dennett, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester and city mayor of Salford, said landlords had been expected to keep pace with increasingly complex rules and responsibilities, and that reforms must be matched by practical support.