The Government is to abolish ‘no fault’ evictions – something for which the LGA has long campaigned – and introduce other measures to redress the balance between landlords and 4.4. million privately renting tenants in England.
‘A fairer private rented sector’, its new White Paper, also envisages the introduction of a new private renters’ ombudsman to help settle disputes.
Cllr David Renard, the LGA’s Housing Spokesperson, said: “Councils want their residents to have the security of a safe and well-maintained home, with any issues quickly and satisfactorily addressed.
“Removal of ‘no fault’ evictions is a key step towards increased protection for private renters and will allow them to challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of eviction.
“It will also be important that landlords are able to get their properties back in a timely fashion where they have a valid reason to do so.”
He added: “The commitment to extending a legally binding ‘decent homes standard’ to improve conditions in the private rented sector is positive. This reform should be implemented quickly, and it is vital that councils are sufficiently resourced, through new burdens funding, to support the implementation of the standard.
“To go even further towards tackling insecure and unfit housing, we would like to see a review of local housing allowance rates, and councils to have stronger selective licensing powers by removing the requirement for Secretary of State approval for larger schemes.”