Following the election and a new Government, iHowz have prepared a briefing paper urging the Government to conduct a comprehensive ‘root and branch’ review of the current rental system, proposing a ‘Tenant Landlord Partnership Bill’.  This review must address the significant issues within the PRS and avoid mere superficial changes. iHowz has these proposals (note that a full breakdown can be seen here):

1 –  National Standard for All Rental Properties, private/social and council.

2 – Register for All Rental Properties.

3 – Encourage training for Landlords and Tenants.

4 – Streamline Processes for rent arrears

5 – Significantly Enhanced Tenant Protections if No Reason-Given Eviction is used.

6 – Digitisation of the Court System:

7 – Allow business Status for Landlords.

8 – Appropriate Taxation for Landlords.

9 – Tax Relief for Housing Homeless People.

10 –  Reinstate the link between Local Housing Allowance and CPIH and reviewing the Universal Credit system.

11 – Build Genuinely Affordable Housing.

12 – Access to Rogue Landlord Registers. 

13 – Set up Tenant Exchange Register:  like the Council House exchange register.

14 – All agreements to be in writing.  

15 – Awaab’s Law/Decent Homes: It should also make clear that tenants must take responsibility to use the supplied facilities correctly.

16 –We call for the publication of updates on:

• HHSRS (Housing, Health, and Safety Rating System)
• EPC methodology (Energy Performance Certificate)
• MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard)
• ROPA (Regulation of Property Agents)

17 –Licensing won’t be required if Decent Home Standard and Registration are introduced We recommend the excellent scheme in Southampton City be looked at.

18 – No fault-given evictions:  A new ground be introduced to Section 8 to allow a no fault given eviction.  If used, the tenant would be eligible for the last two months’ rent free as compensation.

19 – Use Section 13 notice for rent increases:   

20: First Tier Tribunal: More resources be put into the FTT before it becomes bogged down, as the court system is now

21: Retain Fixed Term Tenancies:  To enable tenants and landlords alike to have clarity and security of tenure.