Responding to the announcement of the Fairer Private Rented
Sector White Paper, designed to redress the balance between
landlords and 4.4 million private rented tenants, Cllr David
Renard, housing spokesperson for the Local Government
Association, said:
“We are pleased that the Government has committed to introducing
legislation through the White Paper to increase the rights of
tenants and enable them to better hold their landlord to account.
“Removal of ‘no-fault evictions’ is a key step towards increased
protection for private renters and will allow renters to
challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of
eviction. It will also be important that landlords are able to
get their properties back in a timely fashion where they have a
valid reason to do so.
“Commitment to extending a legally binding Decent Homes Standard
to improve conditions in the private rented sector is positive.
This reform should be implemented quickly, and it is vital that
councils are sufficiently resourced, through new burdens funding,
to support the implementation of the standard.
“To go even further towards tackling insecure and unfit housing,
we would like to see a review of Local Housing Allowance rates,
and councils to have stronger selective licensing powers by
removing the requirement for Secretary of State approval for
larger schemes.
“Councils want their residents to have the security of a safe and
well-maintained home with any issues quickly and satisfactorily
addressed, and we are pleased to see the introduction of a new
Private Renters’ Ombudsman to help settle disputes.”
