Govt announces new measures to protect tenants

Tenants who are renting privately in the UK are set to get a better and fairer deal under new announcements made by the government.

Housing minister Brandon Lewis revealed that there will be a package of new measures, including a new model tenancy agreement that will make it easier for tenants to reach longer deals with their landlord.

It also reduces the likelihood of landlords leaving properties empty for long periods of time and having to pay fees to Letting Agents.

A new code of practice has also been unveiled by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, outlining the responsibilities to tenants.

At the same time, the government has also introduced a new requirement for Letting Agents to belong to one of three approved redress schemes, to ensure that any landlord or tenant who has a complaint is able to go to a third party to seek a resolution.

Commenting on the developments, Mr Lewis, said: "This package of measures is designed to do just that, putting power in the hands of people to get the deal they serve, without punishing the vast majority of good landlords while still encouraging more investment in the sector.

"I would urge all landlords to take account of the new code of practice and look to offer our model tenancy agreement while the Build to Rent deals demonstrate how committed we are to getting homes built specifically for this market."

He added that the key to creating a bigger, better private rented sector is to secure more investment into rental properties.

In addition, a series of new investment deals have been announced, under the government’s Build to Rent initiative.

This includes £17.7 million to Notting Hill Housing Trust to build 181 homes in Newham and Southwark, £4.8 million to Carpenter Investments to build 101 homes in Liverpool and £4.8 million to Derwentside Homes to build 114 homes for private rent in Durham.

Published 1st October, 2014

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