• Home
  • About Us
    About Ringley Meet Our Experts Awards Savings for Clients Case Studies Green Management Strategies Market Overview Leasehold Reform Campaign Money Back Guarantee
  • Our Services
    • Block Management
      • Overview
      • Right to Manage
      • Freehold Management
      • Resident Management
      • Estates of Houses
      • Ground Rent Investment
      • Ground Rent Collection
      • How to change agent?
      • Block Management Services
      • Can't afford an agent?
      • Anti Social Behaviour Policy
      • Legal & Tribunals
      • Section 20
      • Top 10 Tips
      • On-site Staff
      • Buying or Renting?
      • Reporting an incident
    • Asset Management
      • Overview
      • VirginLand
      • Project Monitoring
      • ESG Consultancy & Implementation
      • PropTech
      • Marketing Insights
      • Resident Journey
      • Stabilised Assets
      • UK Build to Rent
      • UK Later Living
      • UK Co-Living
      • UK Student Accommodation
      • UK Single Family Housing
      • Brands & URLs
    • Law
      • Overview
      • Meet The Team
      • Recommendations
      • Right to Manage
      • Lease Extensions
      • Freehold Purchase
      • Absentee Freeholder
      • Court Appointed Manager
      • Conveyancing
      • Service Charge/Rent Arrears Recovery
      • Company Secretary
    • Valuation
      • Overview
      • Loan Security
      • Company Accounts
      • Lease Extensions
      • Freehold Purchase
      • Rent Reviews
      • Development Valuations
      • Insurance Valuations
      • Expert Witness & Litigation
      • Tax, Trusts & Accounts Valuations
      • Trading Business
      • Compulsory Purchase
      • Residential Valuations
    • Engineering
      • Overview
      • EWS1 Consultancy
      • Asbestos
      • Contract Administration
      • Fire Assesment
      • Homebuyer Survey
      • Building Survey
      • Schedules
      • Party Wall Matters
      • Principle Designer
      • Disability Access Audits
      • Small Building Works
      • Fire Door Inspection
    • Finance
      • Overview
      • Accounting Expertise
      • Property Accounts
      • Industry Updates
      • Audits
    • Plant & Facilities Management
      • Plant & Facilities Management
      • Fire Door Inspection APP
      • Fire Safety Update
    • Site Staffing Solutions
      • Ringley Integrated Site Staff Solutions
    • Leasehold Guidance
      • Overview
      • Right to Manage
      • Purchasing The Freehold
      • Court Appointed Manager
      • Absentee Freeholder
  • Insights
    Asset Management Articles Block Management Blogs Publications BTR Rental Market Blogs Customer Insights FAQ - Ask Our Experts Insurance Calculator
  • ESG
  • E-books
  • Get In Touch
  •      
  • Portal Login
  • Clear Filter
  • Property Blog INDEX
  • PlanetRent Blog
UK Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper Introduces New Reforms


25/10/2022
Author : Mary-Anne Bowring

Responsive image


Private Rented Sector White Paper Introduces New Reforms

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities published the fairer private rented sector White Paper. This White Paper forms and builds on the government's wider plans for leveling up. The government's 12-point plan of action detailed in the White Paper considers the main issues affecting commercial landlords in the country’s private rented sector (PRS).

Introduction of a Private Rented Sector Decent Homes Standard (DHS)

The government has a target of reducing the number of rented homes that do not comply with the DHS by 50 percent by 2030. This will be achieved by getting the private rented sector landlords (PRS) to comply with the DHS through legislation. This would require PRS properties to overcome serious health and safety hazards. The landlords must also agree to ensure that PRS homes do not become seriously damaged and beyond repair. Commercial and institutional landlords in the build to rent (BTR) sector are already facing the market and reputational pressures to maintain decent housing stock. It is expected that the DHS will not add any significant burden on them.

Ensuring Quality Improvements

The government intends to improve private rental sector housing stock quality, where in some areas improvements are critically needed. This will be done through a pilot scheme involving a selection of local councils. However, the White Paper does not suggest how landlords who need possession of the property to carry out the improvements will be able to contribute to stock quality improvements - as not all decent home standard improvements are possible to carry out with residents in situ.

Abolishing No-Fault Evictions

The government has proposed abolishing section 21 No-Fault evictions and changes to the existing tenancy structure. A more straightforward structure based on periodic tenancy is proposed. The tenant can terminate the contract at any time by giving two months' notice. The argument put forward is that a two-month notice period will give landlords the time to recoup the costs of finding a tenant thereby avoiding lengthy void periods.  The proposals will also provide greater flexibility to tenants. Tenants will not have to sign fixed-term contracts and can challenge any wrong moves by the landlord.

Reforming Grounds For Possession

Under the new rules, a tenancy will only end if the tenant ends it or the landlord has a lawful ground for possession. To counteract landlords for the losses they suffer because of no-fault evictions, the government proposes to provide landlords with effective means to gain control of their properties when necessary.

Introducing Limitations on Rent Review

The government has proposed a few measures, such as limiting rent increases to once a year and increasing the notice period provided by landlords for a rent increase to two months.  Tenants can challenge excessive rent increases through the First Tier Tribunal. Other measures are also proposed to restrict rent review and simplify tenants’ lives.

Appointing Of an Ombudsman

The White Paper proposes the introduction of a new single government-approved ombudsman. Local councils will be allowed to take appropriate action against landlords who refuse to join the ombudsman.

Making Court Processes More Efficient

The government plans to put an end to the intolerable delays in court procedures related to tenancy disputes. They also aim to support conciliation and encourage alternative dispute resolution. This will help landlords and tenants collaborate and reduce the chances of problems escalating and getting out of hand.

Introduction of Property Portal

A new Property Portal is proposed.  If introduced the Property Portal will act as a single platform for landlords and tenants to express their grievances and get them addressed. It would be mandatory for landlords to register their properties on the portal. Tenants would then be able to access the portal to see information about the compliance record of relevant landlords.  Effectively, reducing the supply of tenants to rent from rogue landlords.

The Property Portal is expected to support the reforms and ensure their effective enforcement. The portal will help tenants identify good landlords and do business with them.

Providing Enforcement Powers For Local Councils

The government aims to make local councils stronger by giving them enforcement powers to crack down on erring landlords. The government is also exploring the possibility of local councils reporting on their enforcement activity.

Doing Away With Blanket Bans

The government will bring in legislation preventing landlords or agents from imposing blanket bans on renting to certain families.  Some landlords are wary of renting to families that have kids or are receiving benefits. The government also intends to support landlords who encourage people with benefits from renting their property.

Allowing Pets And Decoration

The government proposes to bring in a law restricting the ability of landlords to prevent residents from having pets.   Consenting to tenants' requests to keep pets in rented homes will be implied. Landlords will also be encouraged to allow tenants to redecorate the interiors by hanging pictures or changing appliances. Tenants are expected to return the property to its original state at the end of the contract.

Passporting Deposits

The government recommends the introduction of innovative solutions to find a deposit. The aim is to allow tenants struggling to raise a second deposit to move around the PRS more conveniently.  This would be achieved by deposits transferring more easily from property to property and not having tenants have to raise money for a new deposit before the old one has been returned. Changes to the regulation of private rented housing have been in the offing for a long time. They constitute part of a broader government strategy to level up and increase fairness across the property market.

The White Paper has suggested comprehensive reforms. Those that end up implemented will be implemented through the Renters Reform Bill, which will most probably be introduced in this parliamentary session. Honest and conscientious residential landlords need not worry as they can easily fulfill the various proposals suggested in the White Paper. A major part of these changes aims to eject unscrupulous landlords and unfair practices.

References:

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=846ff730-0e7a-4865-9290-23cb77a5003c

https://btrnews.co.uk/prs-white-paper-vote-of-confidence-in-build-to-rent/

https://www.propertymark.co.uk/resource/white-paper-claims-a-fairer-deal-for-the-prs.html

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/uk-private-rented-sector-white-paper-3090608/

https://www.paragonbank.co.uk/blog/fairer-private-rented-sector-prs-white-paper-published


  285
  0

Most Popular

Solar panels on flats - what you need to know

What will a 2022-23 Recession Mean For UK Renters?

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Regulations for Landlords

Ground Rent: Fines for Landlords Who Charge Ground Rent

Leaseholders at St David's Square Emerge Victorious as FirstPort to Repay Insurance and Leasing of Antique Door Entry System

Most Recent

Newham Council wins case against building owner over cladding removal delay

Labour's Angela Rayner prioritises council housing to address housing crisis

NRLA leaders meet with PM's team to address Rental Reforms and challenges

The UK government is getting tougher on criminal HMO landlords

CMA investigation into deposit alternatives gains industry support


Mary-Anne Bowring FIRPM FRICS FARLA FCABE Founder/Head of Asset Management

Strategic partnerships, holistic delivery/ opportunities, growth, value engineering, thought leadership

Ian Barber MD BTR Mobilisation & Leasing

Runs HQ & site lease-up teams. Drives rent pricing, mobilisation, marketing, happy residents!

Jon Curtis MRICS Head of Building Engineering

Chartered Building Surveyor. Lectures on EWS1 & building safety. Runs CapEx programmes.

Kate Robinson MIRPM MD Blocks/FM Management (London Region)

Master plan setup, ops and staffing and resident engagement. ISO45001 champion.

Lee Harle Partner Ringley Law

Plot conveyancing. Debt litigation. Group Company Secretary.

Anthony Kingdon MIRPM AssocRICS MD Blocks/FM Management (North Region)

Stakeholder engagement. Mixed tenure specialist. Budget management. Plant audit, PPM compliance.

Chris Georgalis MRICS Head of Commercial Valuation

Chartered Valuer. Rental valuations: retail, leisure. IRR modelling and valuations for secured lending. Compulsory purchase & rent reviews

Nichola Pughe MRICS Head of Residential Valuation

Chartered Valuer. Rental development & mixed use valuations, IRR modelling. Leasehold enfranchisement specialist

Libby Chen MSc Compliance Manager

Operational Plant & Equipment strategy PPM Compliance lead, Asset tagging Client major projects

Dipesh Parekh Director PlanetRent

Customer centric, vertically integrated PropTech/fin-tech solutions.

Leana Aristodemou MIRPM MARLA AssocRICS Strategic lead: ESG & Asset Business Plan delivery

Financial modelling, valuation analyst to support underwriting & fund reporting.

Natalie Birmingham Helpdesk Support Manager

Trainer & Helpdesk Manager: people, systems,contractors. ISO45001 supply chain accreditation.

Steve Norman Planning Director

Land due diligence (opportunities & constraints) Has contributed to a number of award winning schemes.

Landlord blog
Read landlord blog

Property blogs
Read property blogs

Property articles
Read property articles

E-books
Read E-books

  • Ringley Group
  • About us
  • CSR / ESG
  • BusyLiving
  • PlanetRent
  • Talk to us
  • Careers
  • Ask a Question
  • Insights
  • Articles
  • Blogs
  • Subscribe
  • BTR & PRS Buildings
  • What we do
  • Asset Management
  • Block Management
  • Facilities Management
  • Property Law
  • Surveying / Valuation
  • Building Engineering
  • Financial Services
  • Managing Agents
  • Block Management Locations
  • Co-working
  • Renting & Letting
  • Right to Manage
  • Contractor Management
  • Space to Work
  • Fees
  • Offices
  • London
  • Ringley House
  • 1 Castle Road
  • London
  • NW1 8PR
  • T: 0207 267 2900
  • Manchester
  • 11 Swan Street
  • Northern Quarter
  • Manchester
  • M4 5JJ
  • T: 0330 174 7777
  • Cardiff
  • 122 West Bute Street
  • Cardiff Bay
  • Cardiff
  • CF10 5LJ
  • T: 0292 034 0178
  • Email: solutions@ringley.co.uk
  • Emergency line 1: 0207 428 2056
  • Emergency line 2: 0207 267 2900
  • Report an incident
Privacy Policy
Ringley Staff

All content © copyright 2023. Ringley Limited. All Rights reserved. Ringley Limited, incorporated and registered in England and wales. Registered office: Ringley House, 1 Castle Road, London, NW1 8PR. Company No. 03302438
Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Modern slavery act | COVID-19 risk assessment