Renters’ Reform Bill - Committee Stage
Finally, the Government has provided some much needed information on the Renters Reform Bill. The Second Reading of the Bill took place late on a Monday evening, lasting 4 hours and was passed in the Commons on 23rd October 2023.
The Bill focuses on a range of reforms to achieve this, including abolishing the landlord’s ability to rely on Section 21; ending the use of assured shorthold tenancie (ASTs); creating a new register of PRS landlords'; introducing a property portal and establishing a Landlord Ombudsman for the Private Rented Sector to help tenants and landlords to resolve disputes.
Report on the PRS published by Public Accounts Committee
The recent report published by the Public Accounts Committee reports that despite record rent increases 13% of rented homes “pose serious threat to the health and safety of renters” - costing the NHS an estimated £340 million a year
In a report today the Public Accounts Committee says it is “too difficult for renters to realise their legal right to a safe and secure home” and that local authorities - constrained by a lack of support from the Department for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and its approach to licensing landlords - do not have the capacity and capability to provide "appropriate and consistent protection for private renters”. According to the report, the private rented sector in England has doubled in size in the last 20 years and now houses 11 million people.
Post-Lockdown and Looking forward to 1st August 2020 and Beyond
Yesterday Boris Johnson took to the podium for the first time in 2 weeks to announce the next phase the Government’s plan to move the UK back towards some kind of “normalcy”. Since the WHO announced that what the World was facing was a “Pandemic”, all eyes and ears have been on the UK Government to see what would happen next.
Almost 4 months since Lockdown, life has changed beyond all recognition - queuing, which we British were so famous for, is the norm, no unruly behaviour in the Aldi car park when waiting patiently to be allowed in. Cleanliness and hygiene is at their front of everyone’s mind - those who mocked those who wiped their cutlery before eating in a restaurant or cafe or sprayed their desks, keyboards and phones with Dettol, are not laughing now. This will always part of the new “normal”. With face masks and face coverings mandatory on public transport and due to become mandatory in shops and all retail outlets, the attitude to wearing masks in public has changed dramatically as more and more scientific evidence shows the risk of transmission the virus could be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air . Some people feel anxious about the way in which we will no longer be able to “read” facial expressions, reliant only on the eyes and the emotion expressed through the windows of our soul.
Responding to COVID-19 - Create a Post-Lockdown Strategy
Well, what a few hectic and interesting few days. Sunday - the Prime Minister announces a 5 stage plan to ease the UK out of lockdown. The live broadcast lasted 15 minutes. We understood everything he said and continued to wile away the evening - Scrabble anyone?
Monday, 10PM, surprise, No, shock, announcement from the Housing Secretary - as from Wednesday, yes within 24 hours, those working in the property sector could re-open.
Tuesday and a little bit of chaos ensues - is this a dream? Clearly not a practical joke. It was true, “the green light” had been given for the housing market to get back to work, but, as the old adage states, “always read the small print”. As social media, trade press, national press reported on this significant shift, the detail of Robert Jenrick announcement became apparent, ONLY if property professionals could adhere to the guidance then letting agents, estate agents, developers, construction companies, removal companies, inventory clerks, surveyors and any other Stakeholder in the property sector could get back to work. Sounds straightforward? Not quite. The last 3 days we witnessed property professionals making decisions that are quite crucial in their response to COVID-19 Post Lockdown and ensuring not only a safe return to work, but also a safe environment for clients & implementing Covid-19 Protocols for any business activity undertaken away from the office premises.