A recent survey, published by Goodlord and Vouch, has revealed that the government’s rental reform white paper is worrying landlords, agents and tenants across the country.
The rental reform white paper, published in June, was created to explain the government’s plans to reform the private rental sector and level up housing quality. However, the feedback from the sector was far from positive.
The report came at an inopportune time, after several years of disruption due to the pandemic, and with increasing legislation being introduced during an economic crisis.
The majority of agents and landlords who responded to the poll expressed concern about the Renters’ Reform Bill, while the majority of tenants conveyed that they would like to see more legislation introduced around renting.
The main highlights of the report are abolishing Section 21 which allows landlords to terminate tenancies without giving a reason, implementing the Decent Homes Standard in the private rental sector, and introducing a housing ombudsman covering all PRS landlords.
The government claims that these reforms will help ease the cost-of-living pressures renters face, saving families from unnecessary moving expenses. However, the effect on landlords and agents seems to be overlooked in the report.
Jim Botton – Pleasure Beach (Skegness)
