Have your say on the Renters Reform White Paper

Have your say on the Renters Reform White Paper

10:44 AM, 22nd July 2022, About 2 years ago 1

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The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities select committee is launching a probe into the Renters Reform White Paper and is asking for evidence to answer a list of questions they consider unanswered. The closing date for submissions is 19 August 2022. Click here

The select committee inquiry is seeking answers to the following questions:

  • Will the Government’s White Paper proposals result in a fairer private rented sector (PRS)?
  • What do the proposals in the White Paper and other recent reforms indicate about the role the Government envisages the PRS playing in providing housing nationally?
  • Have the Government’s announcements already led to any changes in behaviour in the PRS?
  • Do the proposals for reforming tenancies, including the abolition of Section 21, strike the right balance between protecting tenants from unfair eviction and allowing landlords to take possession of their properties in reasonable circumstances?
  • How easily will tenants be able to challenge unfair rent increases under the proposals?
  • Does the PRS need its own ombudsman? If so, what powers should it have?
  • Will the proposals result in more disputes ending up in the courts? If so, will the proposals for speeding up the courts service suffice?
  • What impact, if any, will the reforms have on the supply of students homes in the general PRS?
  • What impact, if any, will the reforms have on the supply of homes in the PRS?
  • What should be included in the new decent homes standard and how easily could it be enforced?
  • How enforceable are the proposals to make it illegal for landlords to have blanket bans on letting to people on benefits or with children? What other groups, if any, should be protected from blanket bans?
  • Overall, what additional pressures will the proposals place on local councils, and how many of these will require new burdens funding?

Submissions should not be longer than 3000 words where possible.

  • Email: luhccom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: Committee staff: 020 7219 6930
  • Address: Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

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Comments

Rod

12:41 PM, 26th July 2022, About 2 years ago

iHowz are currently drafting their submission, which will be available on their campaigns page in the next few days.
https://ihowz.uk/category/campaigns/

We note that the key concerns seem to be
- Abolition of S21
- Impact on courts
- supply of property, especially for students

We support the proposed rental property portal as a means of signposting tenants and landlords to information and support, and encourage the introduction of a safe rental certificate/property MOT if it would replace the current arbitrary licencing arrangement.

The issues regarding discrimination have already been addressed by the courts or are covered by existing legislation.
Likewise, rent increase reviews already has a defined process where Form 13 is used, so would not take more than making its use mandatory for rent changes.

There is no mention of the pet issue, so that seems to have received a reality check.

We will be asking the Government to publish the Decent Homes Standard and continue to push for the publication of the MEES/EPC review and requirements.
https://ihowz.uk/the-anticipated-standards-for-the-minimum-energy-efficiency-standards-mees/

The Fairer Rental Bill (or whatever it gets called) will represent the biggest change to the sector since ASTs were introduced.

iHowz are lobbying MPs to ensure that what is enacted will not kill landlords businesses
Landlords need to realise that whatever the final legislation, it will involve change and regular training in order to ensure consistent standards.

iHowz encourage all landlords to join an association and get accredited. You don't have to join iHowz but landlord associations are your trade bodies and are actively representing your interests while supporting your more regular queries. Details of what we offer and how to join can be found here:

https://ihowz.uk/

Why not sign up to join our Zoom meetup on 8th August, where we will be discussing the White Paper?
https://ihowz.uk/meetings/

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