Pointless Rogue Landlords Database
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a consultation, proposing to allow tenants to view the Rogue Landlords Database and extend the list of offences qualifying a landlord for inclusion on the list.
Chris Norris, Director of Policy and Practice at the NLA, says: “It’s all well and good to open the database up to tenants, but if local authorities aren’t using the powers they have to identify and enforce against these landlords, it’s not really going to be of much use to anyone.
“The inability of local authorities to enforce against bad practice is the main issue facing the private rented sector (PRS). Instead of spending time and money on a consultation, the Government would be better off giving that money to local authorities for the sole purpose of tackling criminal landlords.”
MHCLG have also finally released their consultation on the abolition of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, three months after it was announced.
Chris Norris says: “The court system has been in dire need of reform for a long time, so we’re happy to see action on this. Any improvements to this system need to be in place, properly funded and fully functional before the government even contemplates changes to section 21.
“Landlords have been relying on section 21 to compensate for the many failings of the section 8 fault-based process, which has become too costly and time-consuming.
“If the Government want to deliver a fairer, better quality and more affordable private rental market, as they claim, they should try listening to the concerns of landlords, not just court the voting renters.”
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London Rent controls meaningless without more homes
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 60
11:07 AM, 22nd July 2019, About 7 years ago
“If the Government want to deliver a fairer, better quality and more affordable private rental market, then they also need to create a fair balance by introducing a rogue tenant database which landlords in turn could access!
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 986 - Articles: 2
12:43 PM, 22nd July 2019, About 7 years ago
This is not just a simple consultation on whether tenants should have visibility of the existing register. The consultation proposes a whole raft of other offences in Annex B that I feel are of a much minor nature that should be managed between the landlord and LA without the landlord being listed a “rogue”. I am not convinced Annex B in it’s totality, is necessary at all!
Member Since December 2016 - Comments: 1
3:01 PM, 22nd July 2019, About 7 years ago
I fully agree with Coastal. I believe the tenants must supply, like in many other countries, a letter from the previous landlord or at least give the address/telephon number of the previous landlord.
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
6:47 PM, 22nd July 2019, About 7 years ago
There are a number of rogue tenant databases including landlordreferencing.Co.UK.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2007 - Articles: 21
5:01 PM, 23rd July 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Heather G. at 22/07/2019 – 18:47
And therein is the problem. Unless landlords submit reports to all databases and in turn search all of them on new lettings, it is hit and miss whether a rogue tenant is spotted. Also, absent a court order, I can foresee data protection issues if rogue tenant databases become more popular.
I would encourage all landlords to ensure their judgment debts are registered as CCJs.
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
9:41 PM, 23rd July 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 23/07/2019 – 17:01
We all should issue GDPR policies which include sending info to referencing agencies which should prevent the privacy arguement.