Crackdown On Bad Landlords Promised In 'New Deal' For Social Housing Tenants

Tackling bad landlords and boosting shared ownership schemes are among the measures set out in the Government’s new social housing plan.  Housing secretary James Brokenshire said landlord league tables and plans to empower residents amount to “major reform” of the sector as the minister set out the social housing green paper. But his offer was savaged by opponents and the housing charity Shelter, who said it fails to outline “a single extra penny” to build more council-run homes, with ministers simply agreeing to a consultation on how cash from the the Right to Buy policy could be spent. Read more on the Huff Post website.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/landlord-league-tables-among-measures-in-new-deal-for-social-tenants_uk_5b7191d7e4b0ae32af9a013d

Crackdown On Rogue Landlords To Include New Minimum Bedroom Size

A new minimum bedroom size is to form part of a government crackdown on rogue landlords who cram tenants into overcrowded homes. As rents have risen in recent years some landlords have attempted to maximise profits by squeezing tenants into “rabbit-hutch” properties. Family homes have been divided into bedsits or advertising rooms that are shared with other tenants. The government’s proposals, which apply only to England, include introduction of a minimum bedroom size of 6.52 sq metres (70 sq ft) in shared houses classed as homes in multiple occupation (HMO). The size would be applied for each individual or couple living in the property, so landlords could not squeeze in bunk beds. Read more on the Guardian website.

Labour to Tackle the Great Rental Rip-Off

Ed Miliband is pledging a crackdown on "rip-off letting agents" after a Labour survey found that new tenants face up-front fees averaging almost £1,000 – before they even start to pay rent. The Labour leader is calling for mandatory regulation of the lettings market amid growing complaints that companies are piling unjustified fees and charges on to tenants and landlords. A Labour analysis of 91 letting agencies in England found that tenants have to pay an average of £902 in up-front charges, including deposits, administration fees and the cost of checks on references and creditworthiness.  The demand for tougher controls is the latest phase of the party's blueprint for shaking up the private rental sector, and freeing it from "rogue landlords". Read more on the Independent website.