Is time up for rogue landlords?

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (“The Ministry of Housing”) introduced a database in April 2018 which allows local authorities to bring banning order offences against serious rogue landlord and property agents. The local authorities are to input the banning orders received by landlords. 

The Ministry of Housing has opened consultation asking those in the property industry and those who rent  to give their views on whether the scope of the data base ought to be widened to include a greater scope of offences and whether agents, tenants and prospective tenants should have access to the database.

The consultation closes on 12 October 2019.

The Ministry of Housing has confirmed that the private rented sector houses 4.5 million people and whilst the majority of private landlords offer acceptable properties for rent and comply with their obligations, there are a “small number of rogue landlords and property agents who knowingly flout their legal obligations and rent out substandard accommodation.”

The aim of The Ministry of Housing is to adjust the power in the landlord and tenant relationship and provide prospective tenants with sufficient information to enable them to decide who to rent from. This proposal is no surprise in light of the recent raft of tenant friendly legislation being introduced such as the Tenant Fees Ban and The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. 

The consultation serves as a reminder to our landlord clients to ensure they comply with their legal obligations and to keep their property portfolio under review to ensure strict compliance.