[KF] New practical help and protection for tenants in privately rented homes was announced by Housing Minister John Healey. The moves will help tenants find safer and better homes for rent and offer extra support if they face problems with their landlords or accommodation.
A new housing hotline will open for business by the summer to offer private tenants free practical advice when problems occur and a new tripadvisor style feedback website could allow tenants to post views on their accommodation and landlord.
Plans laid in Parliament to make written agreements a legal requirement for all tenancies will mean tenants are clear about their rights from the outset. Basic information on prospective landlords will be available through a new National Landlords Register.
Tenancy rights will be extended to more people living in shared homes on short term lets - giving extra protection to around 150,000 more people including many students and seasonal workers.
The package of measures is outlined in The Private Rented Sector: Professionalism and Quality: consultation responses and next steps, following on from the Rugg Review published in 2008.
The package includes:
The Minister confirmed the Government's intention to bring in legislation to introduce the National Landlords Register and a tougher regulatory regime for managing letting agents.
The Minister also pledged to explore more ways of lending practical support to organisations who represent the interests of private sector tenants in the same way as for public housing.
Extra Help and Protection for Private Tenants
The Government published a consultation document on the role the Private Rented Sector should play in supporting the economic recovery and increasing supply in the housing market.
The Private Rented Sector is a vital and growing part of the UK housing market, representing around 14% of all households in England, or around 3 million homes. The Government has expressed its interest in ensuring that the sector plays its part in meeting the UK's housing needs.
Commenting on the publication of the consultation document, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Sarah McCarthy-Fry said:
"The recent housing market downturn has had a significant impact on housing supply, and we need to ensure that we look to all areas of the housing sector to meet these pressures.
"The Private Rented Sector has been the most affordable, flexible and responsive segment of the market. We need to build on this to ensure it can play its part in supporting the recovery and meeting these urgent needs.
"The consultation we are launching will ensure that we fully understand the contribution the PRS can make, and identify any substantive barriers to investment."
