No-fault evictions will be banned under ‘once-in-a-generation’ reforms introduced by the government today
evictions which will empower renters to challenge poor landlords without fear of losing their home.
The new Bill also protects over two million landlords, making it easier for them to recover properties when they need to – so they can sell their property if they want to, move in a close family member, or when tenants wilfully do not pay rent.
Notice periods will also be reduced where tenants have been irresponsible – for example breaching their tenancy agreement or causing damage to the property.
A new Ombudsman will provide quicker and cheaper resolutions to disputes, while a new digital Property Portal will enable landlords to understand their obligations and help tenants make better decisions when signing a new tenancy agreement.
This will give confidence to good landlords, while driving the criminal minority out of business says the Government
Tenants will also be given the legal right to request a pet in their home, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords will be able to require pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.
Charlie Seager, Lecturer in Law, University of Salford Business School, comments:
“The proposed ban to no-fault evictions is certainly welcomed. The bill proposes to protect tenants from Section 21 evictions without fault which is a great step forward. However, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that the bill fails to address unfair rent increases. To address challenges tenants continue to face further, the government will also need to ensure its development around the level of evidence required to take action against anti-social tenants doesn’t undermine the heart of the reform.”
While the government plans to make substantial changes to renting rules, there are omissions from the white paper published last June:
A bid to abolish fixed term contracts and replace them solely with rolling, periodic tenancies has seemingly been kicked into the long grass and last year’s white paper outlined plans to end the use of rent review clauses, however, the proposals have not been brought forward in the bill.
