The long-promised Levelling up White Paper from the Government has now been published with a strong focus on the private rented sector.
Among the measures that have been unveiled include a promise to abolish Section 21 evictions.
The wide-ranging and much-anticipated White Paper also includes plans for:
· A landlord’s register
· A crackdown on rogue landlords
· A national Decent Homes Standard system.
There is a raft of other government promises to boost regional transport and education, and also to boost high streets and reduce crime.
The Decent Homes Standard
However, the Decent Homes Standard outlines a proposal that every rented home in the country will need to meet a minimum standard before being let.
The aim is that by 2030, the number of 'non-decent rented homes' will fall by 50%.
The government also says that Section 21 'no-fault evictions' will be abolished and the minister responsible for the White Paper, Michael Gove, says this will 'bring to an end tenants being kicked out of their property for no reason'.
And the controversial landlord register will be introduced, along with plans to crackdown on rogue landlords with the aim of stopping repeat offenders renting out properties in poor condition.
Crackdown on rogue landlords
The head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, Timothy Douglas, said: "Everyone wants to see safe and secure private rental homes and a crackdown on rogue landlords, but additional standards are meaningless unless enforced.
"What is key for levelling up in the private rental sector is to ensure that local authorities have the resources and staff to actively go out and inspect properties and prosecute."
He added: "Abolishing Section 21 has been discussed for a while now, but what agents want to know is what will be replacing it to maintain market confidence for landlords?
"Propertymark believes that the only workable alternative is to strengthen grounds for possession and make them mandatory - that is in keeping with the government's intentions because tenants will not be evicted unless provided with a good reason for doing so."
Affordability issues in the private rental sector
Mr Douglas also said that there is still a need for affordable social housing over the long-term to help address affordability issues in the private rental sector and building more social housing will help reduce housing need.
The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: "The Levelling Up White Paper doesn't really contain any surprises because we already knew the government was keen to abolish Section 21 evictions, but we still don't know what will take its place.
"Landlords need to be confident when letting a property that they will get paid rent and there needs to be a reassurance that tenants not paying rent can be evicted."
He added: "The Decent Homes Standard for rental properties is to be welcomed but, as I regularly say, most landlords in this country provide quality homes for their tenants and are proud to do so but having a minimum standard will highlight just how good those properties are."
Student accommodation crisis in Dundee
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that there's a student accommodation crisis underway in Dundee with a lack of student properties to house foreign students and their families.
Dundee University bosses are blaming local student landlords for the accommodation shortage and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now, the University says it will house foreign students and families in city hotels for what they call a 'prolonged' period.
The University also says that there's been a change in behaviour from local landlords which is why there's a lack of student spaces available.
University has contacted students for help
And this week, the University has contacted students for help, asking for information about any spare rooms or beds that may be available for incoming overseas students.
The email states: "We urgently need help finding accommodation for those who may be heading to Dundee, some are travelling with partners and families."
A university spokesman explained that they have been successful in attracting students, but the local rental market is facing pressure and many student landlords have now moved away from student lets.
They now fear that the demand for student accommodation in Dundee will now exceed supply.
