The new government announced during the King’s Speech last week that it intends to legislate a new Renters’ Rights Bill, which will likely move forwards many aspects that were proposed in the previous Renters’ (Reform) Bill under the previous Conservative government.
Some of the provisions contained in the new Bill include abolishing Section 21 evictions, and other safeguards to protect tenants’ rights such as making it easier to have children and pets in rental properties.
Other provisions include making sure private rented homes are safe and secure via a Decent Homes Standard, and by extending Awaab’s Law to the private rental sector, legislation that was introduced following the death of Awaab Ishak who died at the age of two when he was exposed to mould in a social house. Social housing landlords must now act swiftly to combat any hazards, and Labour wants private landlords to do the same.
The Renters’ Rights Bill also contains provisions to create a digital database for the private rented sector as well as a new ombudsman service.
Propertymark warned the last government against abolishing Section 21 as part of its original Renters’ Reform Bill, because scrapping it without implementing a new mechanism could lead to unintended consequences such as the court system becoming swamped via Section 8 proceedings. Many landlords use Section 21 because the court system is currently overwhelmed with claims, which is why Propertymark expressed concern to the last government that there should be a potential separate housing court to process claims faster. The professional body intends to continue highlighting such concerns to the new UK Government.
It is crucial that consumers and landlords are equally protected throughout the lettings process as the new UK government embarks upon introducing fresh legislation.
Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, said: “Propertymark has long campaigned for balanced legislation when it comes to safeguarding the rights of both landlords and tenants; however, it’s vital there are workable systems in place that ensure fairness moving forwards.
“No tenant should feel at risk of losing their home without clear grounds or justification; however, there must also be adequate provisions in place to ensure that landlords can regain possession of their properties from disruptive tenants.
“To ensure efficiency and fairness for all involved there needs to be a dedicated housing court to process landlords’ claims effectively. Propertymark we will make the same case to the new UK government as they attempt to legislate their own Renters’ Rights Bill.”
Propertymark are they the suited version of Shelter?
I as a Landlord (hopefully soon and almost ex) would not want my Agent paying these clowns to represent me or them.
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Property mark absolutely do not represent agents. They have their own agenda which involves lining their own pockets just as ben beedle does with the aligned “landlord” association.
Property Mark let us down over tenant fees, section 24 and the first version of the love thy tenant bill proposed by the previous government. They listen to the idiots at gen rent shelter et al whilst ignoring the agents who pay their wages. They push their own agenda for agent training (more money for them!), not once have I been asked my view!
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” . . . Other provisions include making sure private rented homes are safe and secure via a Decent Homes Standard, and by extending Awaab’s Law to the private rental sector . . .” – desperately sad though this very unfortunate case was for the true reasons never generally publicised, sums up the ignorance being promoted throughout the media which is misguiding tenants into believing that mould is unquestionably the landlords fault. Statistically the majority of Private Rented Landlords are reasonable people with Tenants happy with their accommodation.
In the real world, those of us who have any life experience of property and effective management of our living spaces, and have done all they reasonably can to insulate their rented properties, will know that in fact mould doesn’t occur in a building until it contains living organisms – which usually comprise (or previously comprised) human beings (and any animals/pets). It is aggravated by occupiers who never open windows or air their accommodation to help dispel the litres of water we expire daily (“let the heat out”), or dry their washing inside the property (granted some don’t have an outside facility) with zero ventilation – so accommodating vastly increased moisture levels (“let the heat out”), or turn off the bathroom extractor fan (and kitchen extractor if there is one fitted, which there should be) permanently and keep the windows fully shut (“don’t want to get cold”) then expect the extensive moist warm air they create to somehow disappear after the entire family has taken a shower or a bath, or maybe cooked a steamy meal, creating an incredibly damp atmosphere. Consequently, all of this moisture is restrained in the atmosphere and the fabric inside the building, which inevitably causes dampness by the resulting condensation – causes and effects that the government wants to legislate as being the fault of the landlord!
“Unintended consequences” of such lack of knowledge (or call it what you will – lack of understanding/refusal to let the heat out/ignorance/preference to pander to the popular vote etc) will inevitably include further reductions in available rented accommodation caused by a mass exodus of Private Rented Landlords from the residential rented sector, preferring to sell rather than be required to enlighten and enforce basic living space management upon tenants who will “know better because the Government says so”, that is about to be put into a stranglehold of being made responsible for accommodating the way some people – thus empowered by legislation – will never feel the need to understand or to help themselves by managing their living spaces effectively.
A few years ago, one landlord client of mine got me to sell every one of his 40 rented houses in one area, simply because he could see the way the rented sector was increasingly being dictated to by successive housing ministers and governments, none of whom displayed any knowledge of their subject, hiding behind “unintended consequences” when their ill-advised ideals failed. Landlords and tenants suffer as a result, having paid generous salaries to the powers that be through our taxes, only to see them retain a job – maybe even a promotion – on full salaries to wreak havoc on another department.
One hell of a way to run a business, government would be bankrupt and all out of a job within days if they had to earn a living !
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