Government undecided on PRS Ombudsman information sharing with councils

The government has yet to decide whether the PRS Ombudsman will be required to share evidence of landlord non-compliance with local authorities.

In a written parliamentary answer, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said the government was “currently working through the details” of how the PRS Ombudsman will operate.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, the private landlord ombudsman scheme will provide independent dispute resolution, which the government describes as “fair and impartial” and intended to give tenants access to redress outside the courts.

As previously reported by Property118, the government has hinted tenants could be awarded compensation of £25,000 under the PRS Ombudsman Scheme.

Final decision has not yet been made

In a written parliamentary question, Labour MP Mary Glindon asked: “Whether the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will have an obligation to share evidence of non-compliance by landlords with the local authority”.

In response, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “We are currently working through the details of how the new PRS Landlord Ombudsman service will operate once it is launched, and local authorities are being engaged to that end.

“Final decisions have not yet been made in respect of the specific circumstances in which the Ombudsman must, or may, share information with local authorities”.

PRS Database rollout

The news comes as the government have confirmed that landlords will be required to register their rental properties through its “Register Your Rental Property” service as the PRS database is rolled out across England. Landlords will have to pay a £65 annual registration fee per property.

Alongside the PRS Database, the government has also announced additional power to the Valuation Office (VOA), allowing it to rule on rent disputes.