Posted 19.02.18
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government: Article link
Recommended new safety measures to better protect private tenants by reducing the risk of electric shocks or fires caused by electrical faults were published for consultation by Housing Minister Heather Wheeler.
According to the most recent data, tenants in the private rented sector face a higher risk of electrical shock and fires caused by electrical faults in their homes compared to social housing tenants.
Five yearly mandatory electrical installation safety checks for all private rented properties and safety certificates for tenants, to prove checks and repair work have been completed, are part of a package of independent recommendations to improve safety.
The Government is also consulting on how best to enforce the strengthened safety regime, along with whether landlords who do not comply should face tough penalties of up to £30,000.
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Posted 15.02.18
Residential Landlords Association (RLA): Article link
A proposal by the Labour party to give tenants the default right to keep pets in rental properties has been met with caution by the RLA.
Under the proposals, tenants would have a 'default' right to keep a pet in a rental property, unless there is evidence that a pet would be a nuisance.
RLA Policy Director David Smith said:
"Will landlords be able to charge higher deposits to reflect the increased risks of damage to a property where pets are allowed?
"Will insurance premiums increase for landlords to reflect the greater risk of allowing pets to be kept as a default position?
"What happens in shared homes and blocks of flats where one or more of the tenants do not want, or are allergic to, a pet?
"Labour will need to respond positively to all these points if landlords are to have confidence in this suggested policy."
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Posted 01.02.18
London School of Economics: Article link
The Government should do more to support the increasing provision of private rented accommodation by housing associations and local authorities to help ease the housing crisis, according to a new report from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Researchers concluded that "light-handed" government regulation and a supportive approach will help the efforts of social landlords and councils to expand and improve private renting to help many low income families who cannot get access to social housing.
Local authorities are increasingly setting up housing companies and special arms to provide housing for rent or sale directly. Private renting now plays a bigger role than social housing and this trend is set to increase, they add.
The report explains that nearly 20% of all households, including many low income families with children, rely on the private rented sector.
The report - Private Renting: Can social landlords help? - can be downloaded via the above link.
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Updated 01.02.18
