Property managers will soon have to ensure their tenants are housed in decent homes and are treated with both dignity and fairness, ministers have said.

The announcement comes as it was confirmed that plans to introduce a new private sector landlord ombudsman are still going ahead.

The Government has also confirmed guidance to landlords in England over mould and damp health risks will be reviewed, following the death of two-year old toddler Awaab Ishak last year.

ACTION

In a letter to coroner Joanne Kearsley last week Michael Gove and health secretary Steve Barclay have said they will improve tenant conditions across the country in Awaab Ishak’s memory and that new guidance would come in the summer.

Awaab Ishak’s death was a tragedy that should never have occurred.”

Housing Secretary Michael Gove and Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Awaab Ishak’s death was a tragedy that should never have occurred. People across the country were horrified to hear about the terrible circumstances that led to it.

“Awaab’s case has thrown into sharp relief the need for renewed action to ensure that every landlord in the country makes certain that their tenants are housed in decent homes, and they are treated with dignity and fairness.

“It is my relentless focus to restore the right of everyone in this country, whatever their race or cultural background, to live somewhere warm, decent, safe and secure.”

OMBUDSMAN

Gove and Barclay say going forward all private landlords in England will be required to be members of the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman – to be created through the Renters Reform Bill.

“This will ensure that all tenants, regardless of whether they rent socially or privately, have access to redress where they have a legitimate complaint about their home.

The new Ombudsman will help both tenants and landlords better understand their rights and obligations.”

“The new Ombudsman will help both tenants and landlords better understand their rights and obligations and will allow for earlier and quicker resolution of complaints. This will reduce the need to escalate issues to court and untimely evictions which can be more costly to both landlords and tenants.”

The Neg reported last November how The Property Ombudsman (TPO) was already cracking down on damp and mould in the private rented sector in the wake of the tragic death of Awaab. TPO has already changed the way it deals with disputes relating to mould and damp issues, ensuring they receive attention by senior decision-makers.