Why inventories will be important under rental reform

With the growing push from the government for more regulation and compliance for the private rental sector, letting agents and landlords are being told that independent inventories will ensure their properties are fully compliant.

The call comes from the chief executive of No Letting Go, Nick Lyons, who says that the new Decent Homes Standard and the potential of a Landlord Register for the PRS means that a poorly maintained property will not be allowed to be marketed.

He said: “An inventory can be a great barrier against non-compliance and the first block for preventing unfit homes from entering the market.”

He says that a trained inventory specialist who compiles a good inventory will help highlight the issues to help ensure that a property is not only decent but fully habitable from the start.

‘Government’s plans for rental reform’

Mr Lyons added: “There are proposals, under the government’s plans for rental reform, for a Decent Homes Standard, in the same way there is for social housing, and other measures that are aimed at clamping down on rogue operators.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure housing is high quality and decent, and as the rental sector continues growing, inventories can play a role in that.”

Mr Lyons also pointed out that landlords and letting agents are already facing a large amount of regulation and this is still growing but all properties will need to be compliant.

He warns that there are still a minority of landlords and agents who are getting away with non-compliance which is giving the private rental sector a bad name.

‘Highlight they have nothing to hide’

Mr Lyons said: “Landlords and agents can show they provide a great home by carrying out an inventory that shows its condition before, during and also after the tenancy to highlight they have nothing to hide.”

He says that while most agents and landlords will carry out an inventory - it is becoming a standard industry practise – this is no time for the sector to become complacent.

He says that an inventory specialist may be able to spot hidden problems and defects that a landlord or agent has not considered and feed this back.

‘White Paper on rental reform’

Mr Lyons also highlighted: “The Levelling Up White Paper, which looks like being backed by a White Paper on rental reform, has made the direction of travel clear in terms of rooting out rogue operators and compliance but implementation may be slow.

“Inventories can, in the meantime, still be a block against substandard homes making it onto the rental market.”

However, one media outlet has highlighted that the rental reform White Paper appears to be delayed.

It was originally unveiled in 2019 and was meant to have been discussed last year and was scheduled to be part of the government’s package this spring.

It now looks like the White Paper is being delayed until the autumn when the reform package will be unveiled along with the legislation to implement it.

The government is now advertising for a top civil servant position to help push the White Paper and its legislation through the Commons.

Rent reform looks set to include the scrapping of Section 21 eviction powers and include a mandatory landlord register - and making the membership of a redress organisation compulsory for landlords.

‘Most landlords offer quality homes for rent’

The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: “There’s no doubt that most landlords offer quality homes for rent and the sector is let down by a minority.

“Inventories can help with managing a rental property and help protect the landlord should any damage occur.”

He added: “it’s also a concern that the long-anticipated rental reform White Paper has been delayed again since landlords will need to know what they are planning for and work towards meeting new laws.

“And, hopefully, the scrapping of Section 21 will be replaced with a system for landlords to take possession of their property if they need to.”

Study reveals the mental struggles of students in the UK

Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of students in the UK admit that their mental health has struggled since they left home for university.

The research was carried out by Yugo, a student housing operator that wants to boost student experiences while at university and beyond.

Researchers also found that 46% of students are returning home between one and four times each month.

Also, just 11% of students are turning to their university health and support services whenever they feel anxious about their college or university.

And 54% say that their reliance on digital interactions during the Covid-19 pandemic has seen their emotional and mental well-being worsen.

Students are concerned about socialising every day

The findings also show that 40% of students are concerned about socialising every day in a post-lockdown environment.

The firm says that its research highlights how important it is for student accommodation providers and universities to do more to help student well-being with efforts that encourage inclusion and boost community spirit.

Richard Brenner, the operations director of Yugo, said: “It’s our duty to do more for students that put their trust in us for supporting their university journey.”