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.
