It might still be
progressing through the House of Lords,
but the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a
stark warning that the Renters’ Rights Bill is at risk of failing.
The organisation warns that will happen because there isn’t a robust plan
for its enforcement.
It points to issues such as addressing hazardous damp and mould, the
introduction of a Decent Homes Standard and creating a new database of
private rented properties.
The NRLA is also emphasising the need for effective measures against
criminal landlords.
‘Decent, responsible landlords’
The chief executive of the NRLA, Ben Beadle, said: “For too long the vast
majority of decent, responsible landlords have been tarnished by the
actions of a minority of rogue operators failing to provide good enough
housing.
“If planned reforms are to work, councils need to up their game at finding
and rooting out those who have no place renting property out and making it
easier for the law-abiding majority providing decent and safe homes.”
He adds: “Our report suggests local authorities will struggle to enforce
much of what is in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
“Without further action, the only winners from all this will be the
minority of unscrupulous landlords.”
Struggling with existing pressures
The Renters’ Rights Bill will bring big changes that councils must enforce
but those authorities are already struggling with existing pressures.
The NRLA says that Freedom of Information data reveals that less than half
of the fines imposed on criminal landlords in England were collected
between 2021 and 2023.
Also, 49% of English councils did not issue a single fine against criminal
landlords during this period.
And with the Bill set to become law before the summer, there’s a serious
financial scenario building with one in four councils in England
potentially needing emergency government bailouts to avoid bankruptcy.
Councils are also facing demands to manage reforms in their organisational
structures, increase housing development and cope with the ongoing crisis
in adult social care.
Tackle the minority of landlords
The NRLA says that with so many distractions, councils may lack the time,
focus and resources required to enforce the Bill and tackle the minority of
landlords tarnishing the sector’s reputation.
To address these challenges, the
NRLA is proposing several measures:
· The Government should publish a comprehensive assessment of
local authority enforcement teams’ current and future resource needs
related to the Renters’ Rights Bill
· Councils should be required to release an annual report on
enforcement activities within the private rented sector.
· Efforts should be made to avoid duplicating resources
between the planned private sector landlord and property database and local
landlord licensing schemes.
· A new national post of Chief Environmental Health Officer
should be created to champion better enforcement.
Bill aims to reform the PRS
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said:
“While the Renters’ Rights Bill aims to reform the PRS, its success hinges
on effective enforcement.
“The NRLA’s report highlights that without a comprehensive plan and
adequate resources, local authorities may struggle to uphold the new
standards.”
He added: “It’s crucial that councils are equipped to enforce these
reforms, otherwise we risk leaving responsible landlords in a difficult
position and tenants without the protection they deserve.
“The government must assess and address the current capabilities of local
enforcement teams, and only then can we ensure that criminal landlords are
held accountable.”
