iHowz Publish their Response to White Paper

iHowz landlord association have published their response to the Government’s White Paper “A Fairer Private Rented Sector”

They have sent their response to the new Minister, Greg Clarke, and have also sent it to other landlord associations, in an effort to identify any additional issues and present a united front when MPs return to the Commons in the Autumn.

Summary of Recommendations:

1. The ongoing review of the Decent Homes Standard must be published to be discussed and considered. It must apply to all rental property Private; Social; holiday/short-term lets or Council Housing

2. Proof of compliance with the standard would be in the form of Rental Safety Certificate Tenants should have the right to report breaches to the Local Authority/PRS Ombudsman

3. Local Councils be given more funding to tackle criminal landlords and agents, not more legislation

4. Fully implement the ROPA report

5. Implement a property register for all rental properties using the UPRN as an alternative to Licensing

6. All rental advertisements to require reference to the Rental Safety Certificate

7. Landlords operating their own portfolios should be required to undertake recognised professional accreditation training and CPD Only accredited landlords to have access to a new Government portal

8. Retain the Fixed Term Tenancy, but capped at 6 months, or 12 months for a bona fide student let, unless a longer term is mutually agreeable.

9. All tenancy agreements to include Rental Safety Certificate reference and landlord portal reference or agent scheme reference

10. A Redress Scheme (with refundable fee) for complaints by tenants together better signposting of tenant support

11. Amend both the Equality Act 2010 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 rather than specific landlord legislation

12. Adopt a Tenant passport

13. Amend the Tenants Fee Act 2019 to allow for charging tenants for appropriate pet insurance, or to take an extra 2 weeks deposit if the tenant has pets. Mandate the tenant’s liability to pay for appropriate insurance, whilst they have pets

14. Non-self-contained rooms in an HMO should not be subject to an individual Council Tax rating

15. Default annual rent increase linked to CPI, including the Local Housing Allowance

16. Rents can only be varied by means of a Section 13 notice

17. The recommendations in our separate Section 21 paper be adopted, proposing enhanced tenant protections based on length of tenancy,

18. Landlords should have the ability to evict unsuitable/non-rent paying tenants, within a defined period without the need to attend court for uncontested cases

19. Amend the 1992 Finance Act[7] so that a lease of 6 months is not required for Council Tax liability

The full letter and more information on the campaign can be seen here
https://ihowz.uk/the-white-paper-on-the-privated-rented-sector/

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