A raft of measures for the private rented sector (PRS) that have been proposed in a Labour Party commissioned report could see landlords being registered and accredited - and rent controls being implemented.
The 'Independent review of the UK's private rented housing sector' was carried out by Councillor Stephen Cowan who suggests a significant revamp is necessary to improve housing affordability and accessibility.
However, student landlords might be shocked to see a recommendation that all rented homes have open-ended periodic tenancies.
These tenancies will only be ended on defined grounds but wanting to sell or move back in - unless the landlord had lived there previously, and it would be their primary residence - would not be a ground for possession.
Lowering the notice period for antisocial behaviour would be a discretionary ground.
Minimum tenancy period would be six months
In addition, the report says that all tenancy agreements should follow those created under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the minimum tenancy period would be six months - with no maximum.
Mr Cowan, the Hammersmith and Fulham council leader, said: "Fixing the dysfunctional housing sector and its causes is a clear priority for Labour's government-in-waiting.
"PRS is the most expensive of all forms of housing tenure and rents are increasing.
"As well as high rents, PRS renters also face a constant threat of being evicted."
The report calls for the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions.
Criticises 'first generation' rent freezes
While the review criticises 'first generation' rent freezes and 'third generation' rent controls, stating they are detrimental to the market, it does propose 'rent stabilisation' instead.
That would see England and Wales eliminating rent review clauses and requiring landlords to give tenants a four-month notice of new rent, which will be capped based on local wage growth or CPI, whichever is lower.
The report acknowledges that the recommended changes could see some landlords exiting the sector which will hit the supply of rented homes.
However, it argues that landlords leaving is likely to occur regardless due to other economic factors, such as high mortgage rates.
Proposed Renters' Charter and Landlords' Code of Conduct
Landlords might also be alarmed about the proposed Renters' Charter and Landlords' Code of Conduct to ensure landlords comply with the regulations.
The Renters' Charter would give 'accessible information' to tenants about their rights and responsibilities - and empower them to exercise their rights.
The report also calls for a National Landlords Register to uphold standards in the PRS which will see landlords registering and updating information every year, including rent prices, and proving they meet the Decent Homes Standard.
There's also a call to prevent PRS landlords from leaving the sector for the short-term and holiday let sector or the more lucrative temporary accommodation and supported housing sectors.
The report says these strategies are necessary to maintain the availability of homes for long-term rental.
'Sheds light on much needed areas of reform'
Propertymark's head of policy, Timothy Douglas, said: "The review sheds light on much needed areas of reform including around increasing standards and improving affordability.
"Having provided input into the Commission's work, Propertymark is pleased to see a focus on professionalising the sector and equalising tax across long and short-term letting.
"However, the review places too much emphasis on rent control or rent stabilisation measures without understanding the impact of rent cap measures we have seen in Scotland."
He added: "Essentially, the way to bring down the cost of renting is to increase the supply of homes to rent.
"There is also little reference to having a written tenancy agreement, compulsory inventory checks to prevent disputes and investment in local authorities to carry out inspections and enforcement – these are some of the fundamentals that all policymakers should be focusing on if they want standards to increase across the board."
'Student landlords will be worried'
The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: "Student landlords will be worried that they've been overlooked once again.
"The Renters (Reform) Bill originally had never-ending tenancy agreements - while the PBSA did not - and that has changed because of the potential impact those tenancies would have.
"Here we have a Labour Party report that overlooks the issue but calls for ending Section 21 and bringing in a renters' charter."
He added: "The potential for rent stabilisation is another issue to worry about because, again, there's no appreciation of what the impact will undoubtedly be as landlords decide to quit the PRS."
