ARLA has raised concerns that the new Housing and Planning Bill could demonise the private rented sector.
The Bill, if passed, will introduce a database of rogue landlords and letting agents.
It would also make it possible for letting agents to be banned from the industry – something that is not currently possible.
The Estate Agents Act makes it possible to ban sales agents, but does not consider letting agents to be sales agents and there is currently no legal mechanism to kick criminal letting agents out of the industry.
ARLA managing director David Cox said he welcomed the principle of future bans.
He said: “We are particularly delighted that the Bill will make it easier for a banning order to be imposed on letting agents that fail to adhere to industry standards, to ensure that tenants are protected from unscrupulous individuals.
“However, we are concerned that the introduction of a database of rogue landlords and letting agents will unfairly tarnish the industry as one in need of large-scale reform.
“We urge the Government to ensure that this measure is applied appropriately so that entry to this database is based on well-defined criteria which does not vilify compliant and law-abiding agents.”
Mark Hayward, NAEA managing director, welcomed the new Bill.
But he said that the new Starter Homes to be offered at 20% discounts to first-time buyers could still be unaffordable “in a market where house prices continue to shoot up on a daily basis”.
Comments (7)
I agree with your comments Will, it is the tenant’s fault. However, tenants are not expected to be experts, whereas landlords and agents are. At some point landlords, following routine inspections, should note the build up of rubbish, pests and mould and once aware they have a duty to act – regardless of fault.
Of course it is the tenants fault that it got into this state, but it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure it is managed properly so that it does not remain in that state – under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 (from memory). But it is frustrating, I do agree.
Bob, I understand that but the nanny state mentality is a bad concept. People have to take some responsibility for their own actions. I personally do not like to be responsible for people who are daft.
How about one for bad tenants.
I object strongly to the term ROGUE landlords they mean criminal landlords but I seem to recall even in the legislation the term ROGUE has been used. The private rented sector is being demonised every day by councils, government and charities like shelter and the press. The fact is that there is a higher standard and satisfaction rates in the PRS than in social housing. SOCIAL HOUSING SEEM TO GET A “GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD” because they are in with the councils.
Yesterday BBC1 aired a report on the Victoria Derbyshire program and 6 o’clock news of an appalling property in Waltham Forest NE London. The headline attack was rats, mice and cockroaches. The state of the place was apparent with filthy worktops, tiles covered in grease, a garden which had not been maintained and substantial level of rubbish and black plastic bags stacked in the garden at the rear of the property.
I have news for them; these are the precise conditions that attract all these pests. Then tenant has announced she blocked up the air vents so causing conditions likely to give rise to condensation.
The council said they need more legislation to deal with these situations. Nonsense; it was a house in multiple occupation and should have been llcensed (mandatory) thus on the council radar. The current legislation is adequate to deal with this property. The landlord had without doubt not maintained the property and is equally in the wrong. The council have a duty for rat control yet nowadays they always deny it and tried to get others to pay (lack of integrity). So if we are going to use equal terminology this case seems to have had a rogue landlord, a rogue council and rogue tenants (possibly not the tenant who appeared but others in the building who had shared use of facilities and left food waste and rubbish around).
BUT WHO WAS UNDER ATTACK? the landlord of course. My opinion is shame on the BBC for not reporting in an unbiased manner. Shame on the council for using its powers. Shame on the landlord who gives the rest of the good landlords a bad name.
Yes I expect some dislikes but the truth sometimes hurts!
typo obviously council NOT using its powers!!!!
Very well said, Newham council are no different taking up to 6 days to sort out a blockage in a communal soil stack resulting in damage to our clients property with raw sewage pouring out everywhere and council tenants properties alike 3rd time in 12 months. if this was a PRS landlord there would be all hell to answer to.
One rule for PRS landlords another for the local authorities for which we all pay for???
Thanks new life. I will add L B Newham to my list of rogue councils.