MPs to hear landlords’ views on controversial renting reforms next week

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Landlords will get to voice their concerns about the proposed renting reforms next week when the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee takes evidence from the sector.

The NRLA’s Ben Beadle, along with witnesses from renters and residents’ groups, including Generation Rent, Shelter and the British Property Federation, plus local councillors and the Local Government Association, will be quizzed by the cross-party group of MPs on Monday.

They plan to examine the current state of the PRS, the government’s proposals and the likely impact of reforms which include plans for reform of evictions, tenancies and grounds for possession.

Watch the evidence session (starts at 4pm on Monday)

The committee’s inquiry will also get their views on the suggested decent homes standard for the private rented sector, proposals to set up a new ombudsman covering all private landlords, plans to speed up the court process and clamp down on landlords who refuse to let to benefit claimants, and the ability of local councils to enforce both existing standards and the proposed new DHS.

Expressed fears

Many landlord and property groups have already expressed fears that the white paper contains some serious flaws; earlier this week, the DLUHC dismissed concerns from HMO student landlords that its plans to bring in periodic tenancies – allowing students to give two months’ notice at any time – would damage the sector.

They could also have a job convincing some members of the committee. When it launched the probe, chair Clive Betts said he believed that private renters could be the victim of a power imbalance with their landlords, subject to unjustified hikes in rents and the fear of being forced out of their accommodation.

Read more: the ultimate guide to student properties.

View Full Article: MPs to hear landlords’ views on controversial renting reforms next week

Is rent to buy a good option?

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Hello everyone, The sale of one of my rental properties fell through at exchange due to the breakdown of the chain lower down.

My buyers are still really keen to buy it but need to re-sell their property.

View Full Article: Is rent to buy a good option?

NRLA criticises plans for PRS Decent Homes Standard

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The National Residential Landlords’ Association (NRLA) says that the government should not be considering a move to extend the Decent Homes Standard from social housing to the private sector.

Instead, it should be focused on simplifying existing laws that target criminal landlords.

View Full Article: NRLA criticises plans for PRS Decent Homes Standard

PROFILE: Meet the local landlords taking on regional and national regulators

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The Humber Landlords Association (HLA) can justly claim that it has the ear of local and central government – and isn’t afraid to take these authorities to task.

When it challenged Hull’s Accredited Landlord Scheme in 2019, the government delivered a sharp rebuke to the city council after finding it to be unfairly penalising private landlords by serving them with enforcement notices before they’d had the opportunity to address a tenant’s complaint.

“When the new enforcement policy was introduced, we told them it wouldn’t give people time to sort out problems,” chairman and local agent Danny Gough (pictured) tells LandlordZONE.

“It ended up at the High Court but when the council saw we were happy to go to the Court of Appeal, that made them sit up and think. We just wanted them to think logically and they’ve changed the policy. That was a real win.”

Resisted plans

The association also successfully resisted plans to introduce selective licensing and believes the fact private landlords provide more houses in Hull than the local authority gives it a mandate to step in when something doesn’t make sense for the sector. It’s even been to meet with then Housing Minister Michael Gove to outline concerns.

When it’s not campaigning, the HLA, which was set up more than 30 years ago and covers Hull, Humberside and North East Lincolnshire, meets once a month, conducts in-house training and keeps members informed about the law and their responsibilities, explains Gough, who has been at the helm for four years.

The result has been an improvement in standards throughout the PRS and more tenants living in a nice, safe environment.

Good work

“We currently have 115 members and more people wanting to join as they can see we do really good work, but there’s no desire to push the group into something bigger than it needs to be,” he says.

Involved in property since 2002, Gough has owned lettings, sales and investment firm MyPad in the city since 2012 and reckons it’s a good fit, asserting: “I’m passionate about the association.

“It’s what made my business better because I’m at the forefront of all the information, so our clients are the best informed.”

View Full Article: PROFILE: Meet the local landlords taking on regional and national regulators

BREAKING: Government seeks YOUR views on Decent Homes Standards plans

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The Government has today launched yet another consultation ahead of its previously announced Renters Reform Bill, this time looking at its plans to introduce a ‘Decent Homes Standard’ into the PRS.

As mentioned within the recent ‘Fairer Renting’ white paper, it will bring in a version of a standard already in place within the social housing sector.

The consultation asks whether privately rented homes should be required to be kept in a good state of repair with efficient heating, suitable facilities, and free from serious hazards like major damp or fire risks.

It seeks views from landlords, tenants, councils and housing groups on whether such new standards should be introduced and on how they should be enforced and will run for six weeks.

Landlords response

Responding to the consultation Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, (pictured, below) says: “Standards in the private rented sector are improving. That is why private renters are more likely to be satisfied with their accommodation than those in the social rented sector.

“The Government’s plans should focus on making it easier for private landlords, tenants and councils to understand what is expected of them by simplifying the almost 170 laws already affecting the sector.

“The plans need to also recognise crucial differences between private and social rented housing, including in the age and types of properties in each.

“In the end, all the laws in the world will do nothing without improved enforcement against the minority of landlords who tarnish the reputation of the responsible, law-abiding majority. That requires properly resourced councils tackling the criminals and rogues, whilst allowing the responsible majority to easily prove their home is safe and compliant.”

Housing Secretary Greg Clark (pictured) says he wants to see a thriving private rented sector, “but that does not mean that tenants should have to suffer homes that are not of decent standard,” he adds.

“This consultation asks what the minimum standard for privately rented homes should be.”

Visit the consultation page.

View Full Article: BREAKING: Government seeks YOUR views on Decent Homes Standards plans

UK rents continue rising to new heights

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Every region in the UK has seen annual and monthly rent growth with the average price now standing at £1,143, one index reveals.

According to HomeLet, the average rent in August grew by 8.5% from last year –

View Full Article: UK rents continue rising to new heights