The technical discussion document which was launched back in August set out a series of questions aimed at getting a feel for various measures to tackle the worst offenders in the property lettings industry. Questions ranged from how to tackle rogue landlords to how to deal with abandoned properties. ARLA was quick off the mark to respond and we submitted our response back in August.
Some of the key findings are that:
84% of respondents said that they thought data held by Tenancy Deposit Protection schemes should be made available to local authorities. Making it easier to identify the size and location of rented property in their area making it easier to plan ahead for the types of services that residents are likely to need in the future. and make it easier to identify rogue landlords.
92% agreed there should be a blacklist of persistent rogue landlords and letting agents. The database would only be accessible by local housing authorities and central Government.
82% said that additional criteria should be added to the 'fit and proper person test' for licensable properties such as HMOs. This adds to the criteria already introduced with the Housing Act 2004 with the aim of it being a more stringent test.
85% thought that Rent Repayment Orders should be introduced for situations where a tenant has been illegally evicted. Again this extends the criteria already put in place as part of the Housing Act 2004
51% of respondents said that they thought that a proposed new process for dealing with abandoned properties (where a tenant simply disappears) would be effective. The proposals follow a six-stage process as detailed in the consultation document and include the landlord having to give the tenant a written warning notice stating that the property is believed to be abandoned. The tenant would then have four weeks to respond to the contrary.
For the full report visit - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tackling-rogue-landlords-and-improving-the-private-rental-sector
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