Private Rented Sector in 2024
As the year 2024 draws to a close, it is often a timeto reflect on the accomplishments, challenges, and growth experienced over the past twelve months. This year has been one of significant change and innovation, with organisations adapting to an evolving private rented sector, regulatory landscapes, and the ever-present need for resilience in a competitive environment.
So many property professionals - landlords & letting agents, have demonstrated remarkable foresight, leveraging opportunities for growth while addressing the challenges that inevitably will arise in. 2025. Reflection not only offers an opportunity to celebrate successes but also provides valuable insights for strategic planning and continuous improvement, ensuring a stronger and more prosperous year ahead.
ASB to be tackled as Landlords promised power to Evict Anti-Social Tenants
Yesterday, the Department of Levelling Up announced their Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan which sets out an ambitious new approach to working with local agencies to tackle the blight of anti-social behaviour facing communities across England and Wales.
The plan includes details which will allow Landlords and law-abiding tenants to benefit from stronger laws and systemsto ensure those who are persistently disruptive are evicted. The aim is to seek to halve the delay between a private landlord serving notice for anti-social behaviour and eviction and broaden the disruptive and harmful activities that can lead to eviction. The plan also provides a clear expectation that previous anti-social behaviour offenders are deprioritised for social housing.
The Queen’s Speech brings back into focus The Renter’s Reform Bill
As a result of the Pandemic, proposed legislation has been put on the back burner. The Queen’s Speech brings back into focus the Renter’s Reform Bill, the Briefing Document highlights the main elements of the Bill which are as follows:-
● Abolishment of the so-called ‘no fault’ evictions by removing Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. This has been a very key topic, but the general feeling is that with the private rented sector having almost doubled in size in the past 10 years, this is will be welcome news for tenants.
● Reforming Section 8 and the possession grounds for landlords, introducing new and stronger grounds for repeated incidences of rent arrears and reducing notice periods for anti-social behaviour. Amending the Section 8 notice will need to consider what happens when a landlord needs to move back in or sell their property.
● Application of the legally binding Decent Homes Standard in the Private Rented Sector giving tenants safer, better quality and better value homes.
● The introduction of a new Ombudsman for private landlords so that disputes can easily be resolved without the need to go to court.
● The introduction of a new property portal to help landlords understand their obligations and to give tenants performance information to hold their landlord accountable.