New Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper published

The government has published a Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper that claims it will redress the balance between landlords and 4.4 million tenants in the private rented sector.

The measures will form part of the Renters Reform Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech. It will be introduced into Parliament later in 2022.

Tenants will have stronger powers to challenge poor practice and unjustified rent increases under the proposals, and they could also be saved the expense of having to move as often from one rented home to another.

It will also be made illegal for landlords or agents to place blanket bans on renting to families with children or those in receipt of benefits.

There will be a doubling of notice periods for rent increases and tenants will have stronger powers to challenge them if they are unjustified. The plans will also make it easier for tenants to have pets, a right which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.

A new Private Renters’ Ombudsman will be introduced to enable disputes between private renters and landlords to be settled quickly without going to court.

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.”

Cllr David Renard, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:

“We are pleased that the Government has committed to increase the rights of tenants and enable them to better hold their landlord to account.

“Removal of ‘no-fault evictions’ is a key step towards increased protection for private renters and will allow renters to challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of eviction. It will also be important that landlords are able to get their properties back in a timely fashion where they have a valid reason to do so.

“Commitment to extending a legally binding Decent Homes Standard to improve conditions in the private rented sector is positive. This reform should be implemented quickly, and it is vital that councils are sufficiently resourced, through new burdens funding, to support the implementation of the standard.

“To go even further towards tackling insecure and unfit housing, we would like to see a review of Local Housing Allowance rates, and councils to have stronger selective licensing powers by removing the requirement for Secretary of State approval for larger schemes.

“Councils want their residents to have the security of a safe and well-maintained home with any issues quickly and satisfactorily addressed, and we are pleased to see the introduction of a new Private Renters’ Ombudsman to help settle disputes.”

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, added: “Whilst headline commitments to strengthening possession grounds, speedier court processes and mediation are helpful, the detail to follow must retain the confidence of responsible landlords, as well as improving tenants’ rights.

“We will be analysing the government’s plans carefully to ensure they meet this test. A failure to do so will exacerbate the housing crisis at a time when renters are struggling to find the homes they need.

“The eventual legislation needs to recognise that government actions have led to a shortage of supply in the sector at a time of record demand. It is causing landlords to leave the sector and driving up rents when people can least afford it.”