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

moneymanager

14:31 PM, 18th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Some have already referred to the terms of both leases and mortages requiring ammendment, whether desirable or not, the latter may be achievable but the former presents a real problem in a mixed accomodation building, our appartments are in a large and fairly expensive block with everything from one bedroom older student renters to three bedroomed penthouse footballers, the terms of the lease stipulate that all leases are intended to be issued on the same basis and that includes a prohibitionon letting other than the whole property under one tenancy agreement and then for a minimum of six months, there is also a covenant which prohibits the keeping of pets and the RTM has evicted a parrot by court order! I don't see that the freeholder could or would entertain the abandonment of those provisions let alone issue ew lease without them as to do so would be a serious derogation of grant, putting that in plain english, owner occupiers and pet averse letting landords would take them to the cleaners.

LaLo

16:14 PM, 18th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Re pets. I had a tenant who didn’t pay his rent and left a mountain of ‘dog do’ up to the ceiling in the lounge which I had to shift! Sorry - pets are a no - no for me. I’ve told Michael Gove so!

Sam Smith

21:09 PM, 19th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Thinking about this more. It now makes it very likely the next labour government will now introduce rent controls… there is nothing for labour to differentiate on renting so logically this is the path labour will work towards.

Chris Bradley

21:13 PM, 19th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Soon a lot of Ukrainians fleeing War, will become homeless after the 6months rent free period with their hosts ends, and there is no social or council housing, and so little rental available.
Charities are blaming private landlords saying their rules are to strict, where as they should be blaming the government who has forced so many landlords out of the rental market over the last few years, resulting in a crisis, demand now exceeds supply.

Reluctant Landlord

7:44 AM, 20th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Bradley at 19/06/2022 - 21:13
I have offered one bed flats to my LA with suggestion for Ukranian women and a baby. Was told they were rather picky and as they were 'promised' at least 2 bed accommodation, none will take the offer as once they do so they know they will be put to the bottom of the rehoming list!!!

So the LA wont make them take a perfectly good flat yet they are fleeing from a warzone. The LA emergency accom bill increases, but noone got the balls to day take it.

Utter madness

Chris Bradley

9:31 AM, 20th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 20/06/2022 - 07:44
Unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation supplied to Ukrainians (I do wonder if Russian hackers have been involved).
Many sponsorship agreements have broken down as a result because hosts have asked for contributions to energy and food and Ukrainian were told everything will be free and they will have UC to spend on themselves

Reluctant Landlord

10:11 AM, 20th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Bradley at 20/06/2022 - 09:31
which is why I think instead of spending millions after they come here, the government should be making it clear to all immigrants (warzones or otherwise) the real truth. They might find less bother coming in the first place as its not the land of milk and honey anymore, and if they do - there is sever limitations on what is on offer. You have to join the queue like everyone else and you will be treated like everyone else.
The LA should give you one offer and you take it or your are not offered anything else. Be grateful for what you get in such circumstances! I'd take any help if it was given to get out of a B&B or hostel!

Reluctant Landlord

10:15 AM, 20th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Bradley at 19/06/2022 - 21:13
I just has one person on a visa (LTR not ILTR) reject my self contained one bed flat in a lovely quiet block as it was a kitchen/diner and not separate rooms. She is in a ROOM in an HMO paying £150 a month more and complaining of drunks in the other rooms!

LaLo

11:02 AM, 20th June 2022, About 2 years ago

It seems whichever government is in power, LLs will suffer. The last time I looked at the Labour manifesto they propose to bring in minimum 3 year rental contracts !

budd

11:06 AM, 20th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 20/06/2022 - 11:02
Also donate the property to the tenant

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