Consultation launched on Tenancy Reform in England

Posted by Votta Sales & Lettings on 22nd July 2019 -

As Prime Minister Theresa May leaves office the UK Government has launched a 12-week consultation on Tenancy Reform in England, setting out greater detail about what the Government envisage change will look like.

In April, the Government outlined that they want to prevent private landlords from evicting tenants at short notice and without good reason, amend the Section 8 eviction procedure and expedite the court process so landlords are able to swiftly and smoothly regain their property where tenants fall into rent arrears or cause damage. 

The consultation outlines that any change will not be retrospective, unaffecting existing tenancies. There are a wide range of open questions in order to start a discussion about what reforms to Section 8 grounds should look like and whether students renting property should be treated differently.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are working with the Ministry of Justice on reforms to the court process. This includes ensuring it works better, moving to greater digitalisation and the accelerated procedure.

With the effects of the tenant fees ban having not yet being felt the Government cannot underestimate the impact their proposals could have on the sector and landlords operating within it.

ARLA Propertymark has already engaged with the Government in its consultation on Overcoming the barriers to longer tenancies in the private rented sector and a call for evidence to better understand and improve the experience of people using courts and tribunal services in property cases, including considering the case for a specialist Housing Court.

This is big news for the sector and ARLA Propertymark will be engaging with members before providing a full and detailed response.