Activists call for tenants to withhold rent if repairs ignored
Acorn says measure would appy to landlords or agents who ignore repairs and maintenance issues and in particular damp and mould.
A leading campaign group has told MPs that tenants should be allowed to withhold their rental payments if landlords or letting agents fail to complete repairs including fixing mould and damp.
ACORN gave evidence to the Renters’ Rights Bill scrutiny committee, highlighting the need to strengthen tenants’ rights when Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard are introduced to the private rented sector.
Policy officer Anny Cullum said much of the action currently taken by landlords was retroactive or “down the line”.
She told the Parliamentary Committee, which included Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, that councils sometimes took a long time to act while many tenants won’t pursue rent repayment orders (RROs) because they don’t have the time or energy.
“We think there could be a mechanism whereby if someone is living with this problem and it’s not fixed within the timescales set out by Awaab’s Law then they could withhold their rent and pay it to a third party, which could then give the landlord a timescale by which to solve it by,” explained Cullum.
“If they don’t solve it, the tenant gets the rent paid back, but if they do, the landlord gets the rent paid back.”
The Government is consulting on a Decent Homes Standard which will set out a standard for safe, secure housing in both social housing and private rented properties.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has pledged to “clamp down on damp and mouldy homes” by implementing Awaab’s Law and extending it to cover the private rented sector as well as social housing.
On balance, I assume they are happy with a Landlord witholding repairs if a tenant is in rent arrears. Seems fair- no!?
Serious question: Does a tenant have any responsibility to look after the property they are renting? It seems not.
We manage properties that landlords have lived in for decades. Tenant moves in and within 3 months there is mould caused by condensation. Drying clothes on radiators, not ventilating and opening windows, the list goes on.
The crusade to demonise the private rental sector is a disgrace and it wont end well.
I have exactly that case at present landlords uncle lived in a flat for 15 years with no problems. We moved a tenant in and yes three months later “damp” which according to the tenant was a leaking roof and rising damp (its a first floor flat). Roof is fine heat is on three hours a day windows shut tight and tumble drier running in the open plan kitchen lounge. I have pointed out all the fixes ie open windows put heat on but nothing improves because they dont do anything.
Now the landlord is fed up and saying he is going to sell.
Acorn need to understand that for every action there is a reaction and in our industry that means fewer properties and more homeless people.