Renters Reform White Paper – Full details published

Renters Reform White Paper – Full details published

11:37 AM, 16th June 2022, About 2 years ago 83

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The fairer private rented sector white paper has been published today (16 June 2022). Click Here

Section 21 evictions will be outlawed. The Government’s claim is that more than a fifth of private renters who moved in 2019 and 2020 did not end their tenancy by choice, including 8% who were asked to leave by their landlord.

Measures published today also include:

  • Outlawing blanket bans on renting to families with children or those in receipt of benefits
  • Ending the use of arbitrary rent review clauses, restricting tribunals from hiking up rent and enabling tenants to be repaid rent for non-decent homes. This will make sure tenants can take their landlord to court to seek repayment of rent if their homes are of an unacceptable standard
  • Making it easier for tenants to have much-loved pets in their homes by giving all tenants the right to request a pet in their house, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse
  • All tenants to be moved onto a single system of periodic tenancies, meaning they can leave poor quality housing without remaining liable for the rent or move more easily when their circumstances change. A tenancy will only end if a tenant ends or a landlord has a valid reason, defined in law
  • Doubling notice periods for rent increases and giving tenants stronger powers to challenge them if they are unjustified
  • Giving councils stronger powers to tackle the worst offenders, backed by enforcement pilots, and increasing fines for serious offences

In addition, private landlords will have greater clarity and support through the following measures:

  • A new Private Renters’ Ombudsman will be created to enable disputes between private renters and landlords to be settled quickly, at low cost, and without going to court
  • Ensuring responsible landlords can gain possession of their properties efficiently from anti-social tenants and can sell their properties when they need to
  • Introducing a new property portal that will provide a single front door to help landlords to understand, and comply with, their responsibilities as well as giving councils and tenants the information they need to tackle rogue operators

Levelling Up and Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: “For too long many private renters have been at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords who fail to repair homes and let families live in damp, unsafe and cold properties, with the threat of unfair ‘no fault’ evictions orders hanging over them.

“Our New Deal for renters will help to end this injustice by improving the rights and conditions for millions of renters as we level up across the country and deliver on the people’s priorities.”

Alongside the white paper the following documents will be published:

  • Response to 2019 consultation on abolishing section 21
  • Response to 2018 call for evidence on the case for a housing court
  • Response to 2019 call for evidence on tenancy deposit reform

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Comments

Darren Peters

19:44 PM, 16th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by CYRIL STALEY at 16/06/2022 - 19:40
Just reading the white paper and giving my best guess. I'm not in any way involved with it.

Chris Bradley

20:02 PM, 16th June 2022, About 2 years ago

I've always done 12month tenancies to provide stability for the tenant and myself as a landlord. It also means that the credit check costs are an investment in a 12 month minimum tenant.

If every tenancy becomes periodic what is to stop a tenant moving in and issuing 2 month's notice, as some people will choose tenancies for short term rentals such as holiday homes and airbnb that are currently used when the tenant only needs a month or two.

I couldn't deal with the stress of changing tenants every couple months, let alone the set up costs, and checks of each new tenant.

This new proposal provides flexibility and longevity for the tenant, but ignores the needs of the landlord.

Binks

20:58 PM, 16th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Jo Westlake at 16/06/2022 - 14:04
Yes, couldn’t believe what I was reading. Given the Tenant Fee act, there’s virtually no cost to a tenant to move, so this effectively enables people who are after a short term let to rent a long term rental cheap and bail after a couple of months with the landlord bearing all the costs of readvertising, reletting, referencing etc. We have flats in a central city area which are vulnerable to this sort of abuse. Another stupid idea on top of the rest.

Binks

20:59 PM, 16th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Bradley at 16/06/2022 - 20:02
Spot on!

Accidental LL

21:10 PM, 16th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 16/06/2022 - 19:44
Yes Darren your right about the 6 months period being the time when the 2 new S8 grounds can't be used but can later on.

My error, i had mis-read the preparation White Paper discussion document which appeared ambiguous.

Helen Morley

11:29 AM, 17th June 2022, About 2 years ago

I have four questions:
1. Are all lenders on board and will they alter the T&Cs/ mortgage offers to reflect the fact that the ASTs mentioned therein will no longer exist?

2. Similarly, will freeholders be required to amend all leases for the same reason?

3. How will lenders and freeholders protect themselves in case of forfeiture?

4. Will Councils be required to drop the concept of a tenant making themselves ‘deliberately homeless’ given that only Section 8 will be available? And therefore be required to take upon themselves the responsibility to house all evictees?

Judith Wordsworth

11:49 AM, 17th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Thank god I'm out of the sector bar the 1 rental property that my 20-something daughter is now living in at a peppercorn rent.

LaLo

12:10 PM, 17th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Helen Morley at 17/06/2022 - 11:29
Good points, send them directly to Michael Gove - there are contact details.

Helen Morley

12:43 PM, 17th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 17/06/2022 - 12:10
Have done!
Have also asked by what date mortgages and leases will be amended and who will bear the costs given that these are legally binding contracts.
In the unlikely event of receiving a response, I’ll post it here.

budd

16:06 PM, 17th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Neil Patterson at 16/06/2022 - 11:38
When will this become the law?

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