Industry News


Private rented white paper to be published in the Spring


T


he Government’s long-awaited proposals for making changes to regulations in the private rented sector are expected to be published


within the next few weeks. It is expected to launch a consultation on the


introduction of a legally binding Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector for the first time ever. It will also set out how the Government intends to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions - a pledge first made by former Prime Minister Teresa May back in in 2019. Ministers have said they will also explore the idea


of a national landlord register and set out plans for a fresh crackdown on rogue landlords. Te White Paper was originally due to


be published last year, but has been delayed by Ministerial changes, refreshing the Government’s approach to building safety and cladding, as well as work on developing the Levelling Up strategies. Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said: “Every


tenant should have the right to expect properties to be safe and secure. Te existing Decent Homes Standard however is not the right vehicle with which to achieve this important goal. “At present, this standard, designed for


the social rented sector, does not reflect many of the differences between it and the private rented sector. Tis includes the types and age of


properties in each. “We will work with the Government to


ensure whatever standards expected of the sector are proportionate, fit for purpose and can be properly enforced. Without this, criminal landlords will continue to undermine the reputation of the vast majority of responsible landlords doing the right thing.”


London mayor renews call for private rent controls in the capital


An east London council referred itself to the regulator aſter discovering that thousands of essential health and safety records for tenants’ homes were either missing or unreliable. Te missing safety records at Barking and


Dagenham Council related to fire risk assessments, gas servicing, electrical installations, asbestos and water safety. Te problems came to light during an internal


audit, which found that while most of the required safety checks were being completed, the council lacked the paperwork to verify this. Te Regulator of Social Housing was called in


and concluded that the council had breached the Home Standard and there was the potential for serious detriment to tenants. Work to correct all of the gaps is expected to have been completed by the Summer. Te biggest gap in the council’s safety records


related to electrical installation condition reports where the council found it either did not have a clear record of whether a report was required or could not evidence that such a check had previously been completed for more than 16,000 of its domestic properties and more than 2,000 communal areas.


It was also found that the council did not have


fire risk assessments in place for more than 100 properties, and did not have a clear record of whether an FRA was required for more than 1,000. Almost 3,000 properties and 2,000 communal


areas also required data validation to establish whether they should be included on the gas safety programme. Dominic Twomey, deputy leader and


cabinet member for finance, performance and core services at Barking and Dagenham Council, said the council required frequent checks on the health and safety of its homes and it voluntarily referred itself to the regulator aſter discovering the data gaps. He reiterated that the council was committed to


providing the safest council-owned properties in the capital.


Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements updated


Social landlords have been warned that tougher rules over providing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their rented properties will be in place by the Autumn. Following a consultation exercise last year


on changes to the requirements, junior housing minister Eddie Hughes has written to landlord representatives advising them they should be installing alarms in tenants homes ‘without delay’ and any landlord found in breach could be fined up to £5,000. In his letter, Mr Hughes writes: “Tis


is a crucial measure for residents’ safety, and the timeframe has been informed by the responses to our consultation: a clear majority of respondents were in favour of regulating without delay. “We are working at pace to bring these changes


in, which could be as soon as Autumn 2022.” Te changes will mean that all social landlords must:


• Install at least one smoke alarm on every storey of their homes; and


• Install carbon monoxide alarms in every room 18 | HMMApril/May 2022 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)


Mr Hughes said alarms have been shown to save lives and it is vital that residents are protected by them. He welcomed the positive action of those landlords who have already installed alarms, and he encouraged others to ‘act early too’. “I am sure you will agree that installing these


alarms now is the right thing to do to make sure residents are protected as soon as possible.”


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