News article
Crisis urges Government to advance protection for tenants
Crisis has welcomed plans by the Government, which include setting up a national register of landlords to protect tenants. But the charity warns that speed is of the essence if these proposals are to become law before the general election.
Crisis has welcomed plans announced by the Housing Minister John Healey to provide extra protection for tenants in the private rented sector (PRS). The plans were announced yesterday. They follow on from the Rugg Review of the private rented sector and include:
- A national register for landlords to help tenants make basic checks on their prospective landlords
- Better regulation of letting and managing agents, to help tackle the rogue agents
- A ‘trip adviser’ style feedback website to allow tenants to post views on their accommodation and landlord
- Tenancy rights will be extended to more people living in shared homes on short term lets – giving extra protection to around 150,000 more people including many students and seasonal workers.
Duncan Shrubsole, director of policy and external affairs at housing charity Crisis, said: “We welcome the proposals by John Healey, particularly the register of landlords and regulation of letting agents.
“The PRS has always been a vital part of Britain’s housing provision - particularly for those who are not considered in “priority need” for social housing, but for too long the PRS has been the ‘forgotten sector’ in housing. What we now need is rapid implementation. We are concerned that there just isn’t the legislative time to get this in the statute book.”
Read more about the Crisis Private Matter campaign to protect tenants from sudden eviction when their landlord faces repossession. And find out more about the work Crisis does to promote access to the private rented sector.
