Stronger protection for private tenants

Stronger protection for private tenants

MP welcomes new legislation, which will strengthen the rights of 14,000 private
renters in North West Leicestershire.

Amanda Hack has welcomed the new Renters’ Rights Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday 11 September. The Bill includes a set of landmark reforms that will strengthen the legal rights and bring much needed security to privatetenants in North West Leicestershire.

“No fault” evictions will be banned, and renters will receive greater protection from eviction through new laws that will level the playing field between tenant and landlord. Measures in the bill include:

• Introducing a new Decent Homes Standard and strengthening tenants’ rights to challenge dangerous conditions. Landlords who fail to act can be fined up to £7,000 by local councils and may face prosecution for non-compliance.

• A ban on rental bidding wars and in-tenancy rent increases to stop landlords hiking prices to force out current tenants.

• Abolishing blanket bans on tenants in receipts of benefits or those with children.

Amanda Hack said:

“I’ve spent most of my career working in the housing sector in Leicestershire and I know how heavily the odds are stacked against renters. This new legislation will give greater security to private tenants.

Abolishing “no fault” evictions, banning bidding wars and in-tenancy rent increases will protect around 14,000 private renters in North West Leicestershire. These new measures will provide certainty, security and confidence to private tenants.

Removing the blanket ban on benefit claimants and renters with children will provide easier access to housing and give families a fairer chance to secure a safe and stable place to live. These protections already exist in the social rent sector. I’ve seen them at first hand and believe me, they work.

Equally important, these new measures mean that private landlords will face severe financial penalties if they fail to keep their properties in good order. These new laws, combined with the ending of “no fault” evictions for new and existing tenancies means that residents no longer need worry about raising concerns about substandard conditions.

Good landlords will benefit from stronger regulation. This will eliminate unfair competition from those who, for far too long, have got away with renting out substandard properties to tenants.”

A new Private Rented Sector Database will also be created to help landlords understand their legal obligations and provide tenants the information they need to make informed choices. It will also enable councils to focus enforcement where it is needed most.