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

LaLo

12:04 PM, 21st June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 20/06/2022 - 07:44
Also, as far as checking immigration papers, permits etc - I wouldn’t even know what they’re supposed to look like and doubt if I’d be able to spot a fake - not forgetting the chance of facing 6 months in jail and/or £30,000 fine if I get it wrong!!!

Neilt

10:18 AM, 22nd June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Sam Smith at 19/06/2022 - 21:09
And full security of tenure

Peter G

20:51 PM, 27th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Jones at 16/06/2022 - 15:04
You are spot on. The focus on landlords is deliberate misdirection to avoid anyone looking at Government failing to meet house building targets year after year, and government squeezing Councils by cutting their payments, stopping them building any social housing.

Peter G

20:59 PM, 27th June 2022, About 2 years ago

So if there is no minimum 6 month term, how do LL absorb the Costs for every new tenancy, e.g. tenant vetting, Independent Inventory, professional cleaning, "wear and tear" repairs & redecoration, re-advertising, Fees for new Agency Rental Agreements, etc? It is Not Viable for the LL to pay all these costs and then the tenant stays 2 months. Cost allocations must change so Tenants cover some of these, otherwise being a LL is not viable and THOUSANDS of LL will leave, dramatically reducing the number of Rental Properties available.

Peter G

21:10 PM, 27th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Bradley at 19/06/2022 - 21:13
Spot on!

LaLo

9:42 AM, 28th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Peter G at 27/06/2022 - 20:59
Good point. Send those comments direct to Michael Gove.

Jo Hunter

12:18 PM, 28th June 2022, About 2 years ago

As a landlord of twenty years, experience has taught me to focus on one area of the market. My choice – HMO’s, specifically the student market. Reading the White Paper I’m confident that all other landlords and agents that service this sector of the market are scratching their heads as to how the White Paper’s proposals are going to work both for us AND students as fixed term agreements suit all of us, parent guarantors included.
I have no problem at all with all of the other provisions (decent homes etc (except the pets bit obviously!)) but cannot for the life of me understand what that’s got to do with the type of tenancy. They are two separate issues and need to be addressed separately.
I’ve no idea who might read this but if there is anyone of influence that does then I suggest you look at the German model (where I live) as well as the French model (of which I am also familiar with). The vast majority of tenancies are very similar to those being proposed in the White Paper but some fixed term agreements are also permitted in order to cater for and serve a variety of situations and markets eg students, contractors working away for 6 months/a year, renting in between buying and selling, winter lets, letting one’s house while on secondment.. the list goes on….
Surely it is not beyond the wit of both the industry and Government to come up with laws and regulations that improve both security of tenure and the quality of rented property whilst at the same time facilitating and enabling an increase in supply to serve the needs of different sectors. It is clear to me that if the White Paper goes through as is many thousands PRS landlords will just give up and many thousands of properties currently let will just disappear. Here’s a few ideas:
1. Exempt furnished properties/HMO’s (student, contractors, winter let markets)
2. Have a minimum letting period
3. Exempt properties that are main residence

Darren Peters

15:32 PM, 28th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Jo Hunter at 28/06/2022 - 12:18
I can't speak for France but in Germany the tenancies are without end but the quid pro quo is that you don't need to provide such 'luxuries' as light fittings or kitchens for your tenants. They fit their own. The maintenance, wear and tear and miscellaneous nasty surprises are therefore a lot lower.

Heather G.

17:36 PM, 30th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 16/06/2022 - 19:15
Our 5 year fixed mortgages state that all tenancies must be AST of at least 6 months and no more than 12 months. (Some LLs may have 10 year fixed mortgages).
How do we not breach our mortgage terms while not breaking the law either?
Will mortgage companies be forced to re-issue their T&Cs?

Simon Slade

21:33 PM, 30th June 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 28/06/2022 - 15:32
Same thoughts. I’ve got 2 HMO’s due for mortgage renewals soon

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