Labour urged to bring in secret inspections of rented properties

Labour urged to bring in secret inspections of rented properties

9:21 AM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago 25

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Landlords could face secret inspections of their rental properties under Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill after being urged to do so by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

The CIEH wants MPs to scrap the 24-hour notice period that councils must currently give to landlords before entering a rented property.

It believes this requirement is being used by landlords to intimidate tenants who have complained about property conditions.

The move has been revealed in the CIEH’s written evidence submission to the Committee looking at the Bill.

Landlords can intimidate tenants

The CIEH’s submission to the Committee states: “At present environmental health officers must give 24 hours’ notice to landlords and tenants when inspecting property conditions under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

“This is not required for licensing or for inspections assessing the management of houses in multiple accommodation.

“It gives the landlord 24 hours’ notice that the tenant has complained.

“The landlord can then appear at the inspection, which can be an intimidating experience for a tenant.”

It goes on: “Local authorities should be able to conduct such visits without giving 24 hours’ notice, permitting private conversations with the tenant before the local authority contacts the landlord to notify them if works are required.”

The CIEH says it wants section 239 of the Housing Act 2004 to be amended by the Bill to remove the requirement for 24 hours’ notice.

Mark Elliott, the organisation’s president, said: “This written evidence, which has been developed through our Housing Advisory Panel, is a substantial piece of work that will provide a very strong foundation for our further parliamentary activity around the Bill.”

Carry out secret PRS inspections

The Bill’s Committee is still considering responses and a report on amendments is expected at the end of this month.

That could see the Bill handing Housing Secretary Angela Rayner powers for councils to carry out secret PRS inspections.

However, Propertymark’s president elect, told the Telegraph that it was ‘only fair’ that property owners be allowed to attend inspections – especially as they will be responsible for any works.

She told the newspaper: “Often when we talk about rogue landlords, or landlords who are behaving in an unacceptable way, we are talking about the exception, not the rule.

“The problem we have at the moment is that legislation is being continuously written for the exception, the unusual case, not for your day-to-day landlords.”


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Mr Asif

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11:11 AM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 12/11/2024 - 18:19
Really frustrated and it looks like tenants are the owner on landlord property.really nonsense rules

Helen

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12:21 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

As if Local Authorities have the the time and resources to do this! Also, tenants might not be at home. Should the LA also have permission to break the door down?

JeggNegg

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12:54 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

I am not against this secret inspection as long as it’s fair to all parties.
Carried out by trained and qualified personnel, a video of the inspection of a sent to the landlord so LL have evidence that gthe inspection was fair to all. A written copy of recommendations ( not instructions) is sent to the LL with a note of any grants available, all the costs of inspection are born by the tenant or council.
Finally there is meaningful trial of this idea carried out on properties representing all types of properties and tenants and LL to make sure the rules work. I suggest the starting point for the trial to be on LL who also have an input into the rules of the inspection together a body representing LLs.

l10yd26

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13:05 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 13/11/2024 - 10:32
I wouldn't say it's just rubbish landlords who 'fear' this, it's about fairness. I have to give 24 hours notice but the council wouldn't, then with the RRB I have to wait 3 months plus 1 month notice before I can legally apply for a court date. No one else has to wait, I miss one month of council tax and I'm been threatened. I'm not saying I'm a bad landlord but where's the fairness

Cider Drinker

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13:25 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Helen at 13/11/2024 - 12:21
They will have the resources. They’ll bill landlords and landlords will increase rent. Simples,

SimonP

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16:40 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 13/11/2024 - 10:32
My landlords' insurance requires that inspections are every 3 months, which means that any issues get dealt with quicker, as tenants seem to forget their contracted obligation to notify problems as soon as they arise.

Darren Sullivan

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18:16 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

I would report the Labour party and new government to the surveillance commissioners.

This sounds like a sledgehammer to crack a nut and far too intrusive. I don't want the government to see what furniture I have installed for my tenants when I am doing the inspections anyway. So is a tenant now going to get 5 inspections per year start end and two in the middle followed by a surprise surprise meeting from a council official who has no training in the job and not know what they are doing? Disproportionate and a breach of everyone's privacy for a specific operation. It needs a directed surveillance authority. It is covert surveillance. The council will be looking for criminal offences after all.

Chris @ Possession Friend

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19:56 PM, 13th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

The ' data ' that CIEH quote seems to be very similar to that of the recent Citizen Advice's claims about tenants complaining of mould. - a very flimsical study lacking statistical rigour or statistical significance. ( courtesy of YouGov - who are a bad joke )

Its important to recognise the stats,
85% of tenants are satisfied,
99% + of tenancies end of the Tenants volition.
CIEH are trying to fix something that by and large, isn't broken.

Besides, its important the landlord is present, so he can offer a balanced explanation to the EHO who then has to consider this and the state of the property to make a decision on what, if any action to take.

House inspections when only one interested party is present or has knowledge, - is like having a trial with witnesses whilst the defendant is not present or even aware !

Finally, it should be noted, again, that it is Propertymark that is speaking up for landlords, and not the NRLA.

Mark W

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1:11 AM, 14th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Over my dead body

Mark W

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1:17 AM, 14th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

The woke are on very limited time and things like this will just increase the backlash that happens. Good luck wet lot like generation rent, you will be generation homeless and no one will care.

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