Industry News


Rental reform needs to work for tenants and landlords


Responding to publication of the Renters’ Rights Bill, one of the largest representative organisations for private landlords has called for the reforms to be as balanced as possible to ensure that the needs of both landlords and tenants are addressed appropriately. Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the


National Residential Landlords Association, has emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in the upcoming changes to the private rented sector. He also notes how it is crucial that steps be taken to deal with wait times which prevent the courts from ruling on cases in a timely manner. Beadle said: “Plans to reform the private


rented sector have been on the table for over five years now. Above all, renters and landlords need certainty about what the future looks like. It is vital that the Bill works and is fair, to both tenants and landlords. “Te end of Section 21, ‘no explanation’


repossessions represents the biggest change to the sector for over 30 years. Once the Bill is passed, it is vital that sufficient time is provided to enable the sector to properly prepare. “Over 4.5 million households will need


tenancy agreements updating, letting agent staff and landlords will need to undertake training and insurance and mortgage providers will need to adjust policies and rates. None of this will happen overnight and the Government needs to publish guidance. “In addition, ending Section 21 will leave


the courts needing to hear possession claims where landlords have a legitimate reason. Te cross-party Housing Select Committee has warned that without reforms to ensure the courts process cases much more swiſtly, they risk becoming overwhelmed. Tis will not serve the interests of tenants or landlords seeking justice.” In respect of plans to improve the quality


of rental housing, Ben Beadle said: “Too oſten the actions of a minority of rogue and criminal landlords have brought the sector into disrepute. We therefore support measures to ensure every rental home is of a decent quality, and swiſt action is taken where standards threaten the health of tenants. However, this all needs to be backed up with robust enforcement by councils.” According to the English Housing Survey,


there are 4.6 million households in the private rented sector in England and 82% of private renters are satisfied with their accommodation compared to 74% of social renters.


M


ore than £15m is being spent by a south coast unitary authority to tackle serious failings in hundreds of its council


homes, aſter the social housing regulator said 30% of the council’s homes did not have an electrical condition report. It follows a report from the regulator which said


“significant improvement” was needed in Brighton & Hove City Council’s provision. Te regulator also said the council could not provide evidence it met smoke alarm requirements and it also failed to ensure some properties met electrical safety rules. It found that there were 1,700 fire risk jobs to be


carried out, with a majority overdue by at least two years. Tere was also a backlog of around 8,000 low priority repairs - with some that dated back to 2021. Tere were also 3,600 homes without a current


electrical condition report, and 500 water safety “remedial actions” that were overdue by at least three months. An internal report to the authority’s cabinet


said the council had set up a Corporate Housing Building Safety Programme and was tracking all “compliance actions” to manage risks effectively. Te council’s report in response to the


regulator’s findings said: “We have adopted a risk-based approach to inspections. Tis strategy ensures that high-risk issues are addressed first while also providing a clear timeline for completing lower-risk actions.” It added that the approach was “designed to


give confidence” that it was managing compliance obligations in a “structured and effective manner”. Te council said it was also engaging with East Sussex Fire and Rescue, the Health and Safety


16 | HMMOctober/November 2024 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


Executive and the Building Safety Regulator. A detailed action plan has been drawn up


for each of the council’s 46 high-rise blocks of flats while more work was needed on fire risk assessments for lower-risk buildings. At the same time the council is dealing with


concerns over the safety of eight large panel system high rise blocks across the city. Tese have all been surveyed by specialist consultants and a variety of precautionary steps are being taken including banning e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as gas cannisters, moving bin stores and undertaking visits to individual flats to check on risks. Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet member


for Housing and New Homes, said: “We have been working closely with the Regulator of Social Housing over the past year and we fully accept the extremely serious findings of the review. We are very sorry for not meeting the standards both we and our residents expect. “Like many councils with a largely ageing


housing stock, we do face challenges in modernising our homes. We have introduced a raſt of urgent measures to build on the positive work carried out on building, fire and other health and safety measures in council homes over the last 12 months. “We’re doing this to ensure we are fully compliant


with building safety and quality standards under the Building Safety Act and Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 as soon as possible. Our key priority is the safety of our residents and we are fully committed to meeting these regulatory requirements. We are working very hard to get to a better place as soon as we possibly can.”


Council spending £15m on tackling social housing failings


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