Full list of changes for renters in ‘once in a generation’ shake-up – including extra help for households on benefits
MILLIONS are set to be affected by a “once in a generation” shake-up of the private rental market.
The Government will introduce its long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill to parliament later today (May 17).
Among the plans, “no-fault” evictions will be abolished and tenants will be able to challenge poor landlords without the fear of losing their home.
Meanwhile, a new ombudsman will be set up to manage disputes and renters will be given the legal right to have a pet in their home.
The changes will impact 11 million tenants and two million landlords in England.
Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, said the plans represented a “new deal” with “fairness at its heart”.
He said: “Too many renters are living in damp, unsafe, cold homes, powerless to put things right, and with the threat of sudden eviction hanging over them.
“This Government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a new deal to those living in the private rented sector; one with quality, affordability and fairness at its heart.”
These are the changes that will be introduced.
Introduction of a new ombudsman
A new Private Renters’ Ombudsman will be created to help private renters and landlords settle disputes quickly.
It will also mean disputes don’t have to go to court which can be expensive for both tenants and landlords.
Digital “property portal”
The Government will introduce a new online portal to help landlords understand and comply with their responsibilities.
The portal will also offer councils and tenants information on how to tackle rogue operators.
End of ‘no-fault’ evictions
So-called no-fault evictions will be banned, meaning landlords won’t be able to repossess a shorthold tenant’s home without giving a good reason.
The Government will also extend the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector.
This means private rented homes will have to meet certain standards, such as being warm, weatherproof and with modern facilities.
Legal right to request a pet
Tenants will be given the right to request a pet in their house.
Landlords will have to consider any request and won’t be able to refuse it without a good reason.
Landlords given rights to evict anti-social tenants
The Bill will give landlords more rights to evict anti-social tenants.
The number of disruptive activities that can lead to eviction will be widened too.
Meanwhile, notice periods will be reduced for renters who are deemed to have been “irresponsible”.
This might include if they are found to have breached a tenancy agreement or damaged a property.
However, notice periods for rent increases will be doubled while tenants will be able to challenge them if they are unjustified.
Illegal to impose blanket bans on renting
The Bill will see a blanket ban imposed on renting to families with children or those receiving benefits.
This will see the most vulnerable given greater access to homes.
Ending the use of rent review clauses
Some tenants have rent review clauses in their contracts which mean their rent can be increased.
But under the Bill these will be abolished.
Tribunals will also be restricted from hiking up rent and tenants will be repaid rent if found to have lived in a home that doesn’t meet certain standards.
Move to single system of periodic tenancies
All tenants will be able to leave poor quality housing without having to continue paying rent.
A tenancy will only end if a renter ends it themselves or a landlord has a valid reason to terminate it.
Campaigners have welcomed the “once-in-a-generation” announcement from the Government.
Dan Wilson Craw, acting director of campaign group Generation Rent, said: “Abolishing (no-fault evictions) will take away much of the stress of renting and improve communication and trust between tenants and landlords.”
Michael Webb, head of policy and public affairs at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, said: “Not only will this Bill bring us one step closer to significantly reducing the number of dogs and cats we see being needlessly separated from their owners, it will also open up the many joys of pet ownership to millions of renters in the future.”
Meanwhile, founder of the MoneySavingExpert.com website Martin Lewis said he was “pleased” about the introduction of an ombudsman.
Polly Neate, chief executive of homelessness charity Shelter, welcomed the “once-in-a-generation” opportunity but warned it must “truly deliver” change for renters when it becomes law.
Shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy pointed to “years of delay” in introducing the plans, saying: “The Government first promised reform for tenants in the private rented sector over four years ago.
“But after years of delay, broken promises and arguments amongst themselves, the private rented sector increasingly resembles the wild west and it’s far from clear that this Government can deliver.”
The Conservatives pledged to ditch no-fault evictions in their 2019 manifesto.
It is understood the Renters’ Reform Bill will be published in full later today (May 17), with a second reading in several weeks.