Posted 06.04.17
GOV UK: Article link
New measures to provide a fairer deal for renters by banning unfair letting agent fees and encouraging greater competition in the rental sector have been set out by the Government today.
The proposed measures will stop hidden charges and end tenants being hit by costly upfront payments that can be difficult to afford.
The move will bring an end to the small minority of agents exploiting their role between renters and landlords, banish unfair charges being imposed and stop those agents that double charge tenants and property owners for the same service.
Proposals also ban any letting agent fees being charged to tenants by landlords and other third parties. This stops tenants having to pay fees through the back door by other routes.
The proposed measures come after new rules came in to force (Thursday 6 April) that crack down on the small minority of rogue landlords that shirk their responsibilities.
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Posted 03.04.17
Chartered Institute of Housing: Article link
The gap between the help with housing costs that young, single people in the private sector get and their rents is making housing virtually inaccessible, new research has revealed.
Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) research reveals in some areas the gap between the shared room rate of the local housing allowance (LHA), which single people who are under 35 and renting in the private sector receive to contribute to their housing costs, and the cheapest private rents in the area, means virtually all of the properties are out of reach.
LHA is intended to help people access property in the cheapest 30 per cent of the private rental market but in some areas the gap between the LHA rate and the cheapest properties is now more than £30 a week.
CIH's research shows that in the 46 rental markets in England where the cash shortfall was greatest, less than a quarter of private rented homes were available at the LHA.
In 17 of those areas, 10% or less of the market is affordable and in six, 5% or less is affordable.
