Latest steps to improve standards in the PRS

There have been a few promising announcements recently that aim to improve conditions in the Private Rented Sector

An end to revenge evictions?

It has been announced that the government will support a private members bill from Sarah Teather MP that will seek to end retaliatory evictions. It will extend the current restrictions on a landlords powers to evict, by preventing any evictions happening within 6 months of a tenant requesting a repair job.

The announcement came after MP Stephen Williams accepted a petition from Shelter to outlaw revenge evictions. Mr Williams said:

‘Our private rental sector is a vital asset, providing a home to 9 million people across the country. So I’m determined to root out the minority of rogue landlords that give it a bad name.’

‘That’s why we’re backing Sarah Teather’s bill to outlaw revenge evictions once and for all - ensuring tenants do not face the prospect of losing their home simply because they’ve asked for essential repairs to be made.’

Model Tenancy Agreement

Plans have also been announced by the government to introduce a Model Tenancy Agreement to encourage landlords to offer longer tenancies.

The model contract will lead to tenants agreeing longer tenancies with their landlords to give them more stability.

Private Rented Sector Code of Practice

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have published a Private Rented Sector Code of Practice. It will promote legal requirements and best practice in the letting and management of private rented sector housing in England.

The aim of the code is to ensure:

• good-quality homes for rent
• consistent and high standards of management
• choice for the consumer.

Bigger & Better: The Future of the Private Rented Sector in NI

Housing Rights Service is holding a conference on the future of private renting in Northern Ireland on Thursday 6 November 2014 in Riddell Hall, Stranmillis Road, Belfast.

This one-day conference will open up debate on how the Northern Ireland private rented sector can genuinely offer a more viable and attractive longer term tenure option. It will spotlight the developments in other European countries and pinpoint the changes needed locally to create a bigger and better working private rented sector. This event will be of great benefit to local politicians, academics, landlords, tenants and housing professionals who want to know what changes we need to make locally to create a bigger and better working private rented sector.