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:
โข 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
โข Notice periods for rent increases will be doubled and tenants will have stronger power to challenge rises if they are unjustified
โข It will become illegal for landlords or agents to have blanket bans on renting to families with children or those in receipt of benefits
โข 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
โข 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
โข 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
โข 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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