Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Conflicts between landlords and tenants can often end with bitterness towards each other. A possible resolution maybe on the cards for both renters and landlords with a new bill.
The new bill in England is set to be advantageous to 11 million tenants, with safer, fairer and increased quality of homes as a result of a once-in-a-generation re-evaluation of housing laws.
The Renters’ (Reform) Bill, that was brought to Parliament this week, brings the 2019 government manifesto commitment to do away with section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions empowering renters to challenge poor landlords absent of any fear of home loss.
The new Bill also shields more than 2 million landlords, bringing about a simpler process to recover properties when required. This paves the way for them to sell their property if they wish to, move in a close family member, or if tenants willfully fail to pay rent. The notice periods will be lowered as well, with irresponsible tenants in instances where they have breached their tenancy agreement or damaged property.
The government indicates that this takes further the measures the government took in the last 10 years that gave greater protection to tenants. These included councils having increased authority to take criminal landlords away from the market by bringing in Banning Orders via Housing and Planning Act 2016.
A new Ombudsman is set to give faster and more economical resolutions to conflicts, while a new digital Property Portal paves the way for landlords to know their obligations while assisting tenants enhance their decision making, as a new tenancy agreement is inked.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove says “Too many renters are living in damp, unsafe, cold homes, powerless to put things right, and with the threat of sudden eviction hanging over them.”
“This Government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a New Deal to those living in the Private Rented Sector; one with quality, affordability, and fairness at its heart.”
