Reforming the Private Rented Sector: Select Committee Launches Inquiry

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The Northern Housing Consortium is asking for member views as part of their response to the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Committee’s inquiry into Reforming the Private Rented Sector.

Launched last week, the inquiry will scrutinise the Government’s recent White Paper, A Fairer Private Rented Sector. The Paper outlines plans to, among other things: introduce a decent homes standard for the private rented sector; reform the system of tenancies and abolish no-fault evictions; reform the grounds on which landlords can take possession of their properties; and better protect tenants from unfair rent increases.

 

The Committee’s full Call for Evidence can be found HERE. The NHC would particularly like your views on the following questions.

  • Overall, what additional pressures will the proposals place on local councils, and how many of these will require new burdens funding?
  • What impact, if any, will the reforms have on the supply of homes in the PRS?
  • What should be included in the new decent homes standard and how easily could it be enforced?
  • How easily will tenants be able to challenge unfair rent increases under the proposals?
  • Does the PRS need its own ombudsman? If so, what powers should it have
  • Will the proposals result in more disputes ending up in the courts? If so, will the proposals for speeding up the courts service suffice?
  • Have the Government’s announcements already led to any changes in behaviour in the PRS?

Those wishing to contribute to the development of the NHC’s Inquiry response are also invited to short meeting of our PRS Network taking place Wednesday 10th August, 10.00 – 11.00, online. NHC members can confirm their attendance via MyNHC HERE.

 

The Government’s long-awaited announcements have been followed closely by the NHC’s PRS Network. Prior to the publication of the A Fairer Private Rented Sector the Network was joined by colleagues from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and can be read about HERE. The Group also convened in response to the Paper’s publication and again outlined their view of proposals as laudable, but lacking the necessary detail on how reforms will be implemented and deliver intended outcomes, with key concerns over capacity, joined up thinking, and enforcement tools being duplicated rather than rationalised.

 

Respond to the Consultation and Join the Conversation:

  • The NHC would welcome your views on the above questions, to be sent to us by 17.00, Monday 1st August.
  • You are not required to send us a fully formed, formal response; rough notes / bullet points outlining your thoughts would also be incredibly useful (and will not be shared wider). Please email matthew.wilson@nhc.org.uk
  • To join the meeting of the PRS Network to discuss and finalise the response to the LUHC Committee’s Inquiry, please confirm your attendance via MyNHC HERE

The NHC Private Rented Sector Network meets quarterly for all NHC members working in connection with, or with an interest in, private sector housing and private sector housing reform to discuss day-to-day challenges and track and respond to national policy development. All meetings are Chaired by Dr Julie Rugg, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Housing Policy, University of York.

In addition to special meetings to develop consultation responses, the next meeting of the group is 20th September, 10.00 – 11.30, register via MyNHC HERE.