Renting reform White Paper is delayed until next year, DLUHC confirms
Trade organisations suggest delay is to give Ministers time to consider the National Audit Office's soon-to-be published investigation into renting regulation.
The long-awaited and much-debated renting reform White Paper due this month is to be delayed until next year, it has been confirmed.
This document is expected to include several new measures for the PRS including a new lifetime tenancy deposit model, reforms to drive improvements in standards including by ensuring all tenants have a right to redress, and a landlord register.
An email from a strategic consultant at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) says it needs ‘additional and necessary time to develop the balanced package of reforms that we promised to deliver’.
DHLUC adds that this will not only allow us to benefit from continued work with the sector but will also allow us to carefully consider the findings of the National Audit Office’s review of the regulation of the sector which is due to report in the coming months.”
Clarity
“Responding to the DHLUC email, Isobel Thomson, safeagent Chief Executive, says: “We welcome the clarity on when the White Paper on reforms to the private rented sector (PRS) will be published.
“It makes sense to wait for the findings of the National Audit Office’s review of existing regulation and exploration of key sector organisations’ aspirations for PRS reform for the benefit of tenants and landlords. Safeagent took part in the NAO’s review and looks forward to the report being published.”
Sean Hooker (pictured), Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme: “I appreciate the property industry is on tenterhooks waiting to see what the proposals will be – and uncertainty is not good for any industry, the fact the Government is continuing to consult with the sector and gather evidence on the impact and unforeseen consequences of the changes, is a prudent thing to do. For the sake of a few months more, let’s get this right not rush it through half baked.”
The Renters Reform Bill has been in the pipeline was first announced nearly two-and-a-half years ago.
Avoiding “Unintended consequences,” hey – well guess what – that’s not possible.
Business reacts to market conditions and as in all business, its the end user that pays.
Oh my, are there going to be consequences, and unfortunately they will permeate right through the PRS, efforts to protect the few Rogue tenants will impact the majority of honest tenants.
You don’t have to be ‘Mystic meg’ to predict that finding properties , especially for some groups of Tenants, is going to get somewhere between very difficult and nigh on impossible. !
Tenants will have so-called Renter support groups to ‘Thank’ [sic] for that.
U say it exactly Chris, as if it’s not hard enough for tenants already.