Greater Manchester unveils the UK’s first property checks for tenants

Greater Manchester unveils the UK’s first property checks for tenants

9:49 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago 31

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Greater Manchester is launching property checks to tackle substandard rented housing and to clampdown on criminal landlords.

The Property Check scheme is a UK first and part of a £600,000 package aimed at improving rented housing ‘so it works for people, not against them’.

The scheme, which could see Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service carrying out the checks, will help tenants concerned about their rented home’s condition.

If the property fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard, enforcement action will be taken against the landlord.

‘Everyone deserves a good, safe and secure home’

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Everyone across our city-region deserves a good, safe and secure home. It should be the starting point for a good life. It should not damage your health or be a source of concern and anxiety.

“Sadly, too many people in Greater Manchester still find themselves in those situations, trapped in poorly maintained properties and in fear of unlawful eviction.

“But the days of bad landlords renting out unsafe and unfit homes are coming to an end.”

He added: “This new right to a property check for all residents, backed up with new measures to protect renters and take action against rogue landlords, will empower people across Greater Manchester and put us on course to become the UK’s only Housing First city-region.”

Rented homes fall short of the Decent Homes Standard

At the scheme’s launch, Mr Burnham said nearly a quarter (56,000) of private rented homes fall short of the Decent Homes Standard – but this could be up to 40% due to fear of eviction preventing complaints from being made.

Issues like damp, broken electrics, and leaky roofs are common complaints for renters, the mayor says.

The Property Check scheme is aimed at landlords who will not work with local authorities voluntarily and help tenants who ‘feel trapped by their housing situation’.

The Good Landlord Charter will also be rolled out later this year to deliver accessible and clear standards for both social and private rented housing.

Greater Manchester will offer help to tenants

Mr Burnham also announced that when the Renters (Reform) Bill becomes law, then Greater Manchester will offer help to tenants with:

  • Illegal evictions: The Bill introduces a new duty on local authorities to tackle unlawful evictions and harassment of tenants. Greater Manchester will invest £300,000 to create teams of housing law experts to deliver advocacy and support to renters.
  • Using the benefits system to improve standards: When the Bill is made law, it will become illegal for landlords not to meet the Decent Homes Standard. Landlords receiving rent payments through housing benefits will be targeted to claim back housing benefit if they let substandard homes.

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Reluctant Landlord

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9:27 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

"Landlords receiving rent payments through housing benefits will be targeted to claim back housing benefit if they let substandard homes."

TARGETED.

well well well....if this is the 'cunning plan' then guess what....there will be avoidance of letting to people on benefits in the first place...

David

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10:25 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

The next step will be a ban on refusing tenants on housing benefit.
Many landlords are not even a business so why should they comply with any of this and will it apply if you just rent a room in your home.
Its jokingly called levelling up but i don't see any sign of a good tenant register which every landlord deserves.

Beaver

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10:31 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by David at 20/05/2024 - 10:25
I already do not let to benefits tenants...because if it transpires that the tenant was not entitled to the benefit then the council can get the money back off you.

So you are right. Why would any landlord want to make himself, herself, or "itself" in the case of an incorporated body, into a 'target'.

DC

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10:31 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

"The Bill introduces a new duty on local authorities to tackle unlawful evictions and harassment of tenants."

This NEW DUTY has obviously been introduced because local authorities haven't been doing their jobs by using existing powers Mr Burnham!

It sounds like you need to get a grip of those Council officers that are on a nice little earner but are not actually doing their jobs!

Or is it that you and many others in your position are out of your depth and are unable to do the highly paid job of supervising and controlling your Council officers?

What an absolute waste of time and money, all round, yet again!

The Property Man

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10:36 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

I can see more cost for the Landlord ! as usual

Monty Bodkin

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10:57 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

https://www.nrla.org.uk/news-nrla-welcomes-principles-of-manchester-good-landlord-charter

"NRLA welcomes principles of Manchester Good Landlord Charter"

DAMIEN RAFFERTY

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11:24 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

So Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are going to carry out the Property Check scheme.
They already carry out Fire safety inspection around here and left a leaflet about Men,s health
So now they will have the knowledge and qualifications to carry out the checks under the Decent homes standards and property checks.
Will they wear wellies when walking round the property ?
Maybe a Fire engine outside as well 🤔 🔥 🚒

Is this the best use of the Fire Service would rather they put out fires and rescue people when needed

moneymanager

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11:48 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

The 'deprivation of private property', by 'ever higher taxes', was all promised some hundred and thirty years ago in a well known document, a copy is in the British Museum, which is alledgedly an Okrana 'forgery' of which the Bolsheviks murderously hunted down every Copy.

More recently, we have the fraudulent 'climate crisis' being used to usher in equally fraudulent measures.

Basically, it's theft.

LaLo

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11:57 AM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

Gas cert’s - elec’ inspections - licensing - fines - rent rebates - 6 months court waiting - 2 year contracts -it’ll be firing squads next year! Is it worth it?

Old Mrs Landlord

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12:38 PM, 20th May 2024, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 20/05/2024 - 11:57Two-year contracts? If onlly! Have you read the terms of the Renters' (Reform) Bill? There won't be any fixed term contracts any longer: all private rentals will end when the tenants decide to give notice unless the landlord takes them to court for non-payment of rent or to enable the sale of the property with vacant possession.

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