Our view: upcoming rental reform

In June, the Government published its ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’ white paper, ahead of its Renter’s Reform Bill.

The Government is seeking to remove Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which currently permits landlords to evict tenants without reason and with two months’ notice.

This will, however, be balanced with additional reforms to provide landlords with greater powers to handle repeated incidents of rent arrears and reduce notice on any anti-social behaviour from tenants.

Blanket bans on renting to families with children, or to tenants on benefits will be abolished, and landlords will be incentivised to accept pet owners.

There are also plans to introduce an ombudsman for private rented landlords to help resolve disputes before they reach the courts. Plus, a new property portal for all private landlords to register on. The portal will help landlords understand their obligations, offer tenants insight into their landlord’s compliance, and provide local councils access to more data, so they can target criminal landlords.

Intire Branch Manager Kirsty Bryson says:

”The proposals are as a step in the right direction, but more detail is needed on timescales to provide certainty to landlords and tenants alike.

“Everyone has the right to live in a safe, clean home. And landlords need to be sympathetic to their tenants’ needs, particularly with the current cost of living crisis, but they are also mindful of the costs involved in the issue of non-payments.

“These proposals, which have been on the agenda for a while, continue to divide opinion, so clear guidance is needed to make sure the interests of landlords, letting agents, and tenants are fully considered.”