The government has unveiled a new deal for private renters as part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ new white paper.
Proposals include a pledge to outlaw section 21 “no-fault” evictions that allow landlords to cancel tenancies without notice or a reason.
Here are the measures you need to know about:
• A pledge to end arbitrary rent review clauses, give tenants stronger powers to challenge poor practice, unjustified rent increases and enable them to be repaid rent for non-decent housing
• Notice periods for rent increases will be doubled and tenants will have stronger power to challenge rises if they are unjustified
• It will become illegal for landlords or agents to have blanket bans on renting to families with children or those in receipt of benefits
• All tenants will be moved on to a single system of periodic tenancies, meaning they can leave poor quality housing without remaining liable for the rent or move more easily when their circumstances change
• The creation of a private renters’ ombudsman to enable disputes between private renters and landlords to be settled quickly, at low cost, and without going to court
• A promise to ensure responsible landlords can gain possession of their properties efficiently from antisocial tenants and can sell their properties when they need to
• The introduction of a property portal that will help landlords to understand and comply with their responsibilities while giving councils and tenants the information they need to tackle rogue operators
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