Direct Payment Offered In Exchange For Regulation

Housing benefit could be paid direct to private landlords in return for greater regulation of the sector, under proposals published by the Labour Party. In a paper, Private rented housing: improving standards for all, the party sets out a range of ideas that could be implemented if it was in power.  It suggests there should be a national register of private landlords, a new property standard encompassing tenancy and housing conditions, and stronger sanctions for bad landlords.  In return it says the sector would be offered ‘incentives that will form part of a “something for something” deal for landlords’. Options could include direct payment of housing benefit to landlords.  Download a copy of the paper from the Labour Party website.

Call for Compulsory Register of Private Landlords

Labour councillors in Westminster are calling for the establishment of a compulsory register of private landlords after new figures revealed poor practice in the sector.  Data released by Westminster City Council showed that of 1,712 privately rented properties inspected in 2011/12, 206 were handed legal notices.  Residential environmental health officers also removed 771 hazards, including causes of excess cold and dampness, and fire and fall threats.  Read more on 24dash.

Labour Plans Crackdown on 'Rogue' Landlords

Ed Miliband has set out plans to protect tenants who rent from private landlords in a speech fleshing out his vision for a one nation Labour party. In a speech to the Fabian Society, Miliband proposed a national register of landlords and more powers for councils to tackle or strike off rogue ones. He also wants the confusing system of fees charged by landlords to be made clearer to prevent tenants being ripped off.  Milliband noted that 3.6m households, including 1m with children, are now in privately rented accommodation, more than in the social rented sector for the first time in almost 50 years.  Miliband said "Most people who rent have responsible landlords and rental agencies. But there are too many rogue landlords and agencies either providing accommodation which is unfit or ripping off their tenants.” Read more on the Guardian website.

Flint: Ban Benefit Payments for Substandard Homes

Private landlords whose homes do not meet minimum energy efficiency standards should be not be able to house tenants on housing benefit, the shadow energy secretary has argued. Speaking at an event hosted by Aldersgate Group, Caroline Flint called for a register of private landlords to ensure tenants receiving benefits are not placed in poorly insulated homes. ‘The state should not be subsidising substandard housing, or lining the pockets of those irresponsible landlords, who fail to make sure their homes are warm and properly insulated,’ she said. Ms Flint argued that such a move would also create employment by forcing landlords to improve their homes, and reduce fuel poverty by cutting bills. The government has introduced legislation to ban landlords from letting homes in the lowest categories for energy efficiency, however this is not due to come into force until 2018. Ms Flint also warned the government’s green deal initiative, which will see installers upgrade the energy efficiency of homes at no up front cost in return for a cut of the energy bills savings, could fail unless the Green Investment Bank is used to subsidise the scheme. Read more on the Aldersgate Group website.

ALMO to Roll out Private Landlords Register

Doncaster ALMO St Leger Homes is to roll out a private landlords register to increase the supply of 'good standard' private rented housing in the region. The ALMO’s asset management team and Doncaster Council’s private sector housing team are working closely together on the initiative that will enable it to manage privately owned properties on behalf of independent landlords. St Leger said the pilot for the scheme will be for landlords who are accessing grants for private sector rented properties. It said the criteria will ensure that rents are affordable; that the rent levels are set within the local housing allowance; and, as part of the agreement, the landlord must sign up to either the Silver or Gold service the ALMO provides to private landlords. Read more on 24dash.