The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill will soon become law after passing its third reading at the House of Lords and achieving Royal Assent.
The Private Members’ Bill, tabled by Karen Buck MP, will offer both private and social tenants in England the power to take their landlords to court if their home is unsafe.
The new legislation will require all leases to have an implied covenant stating that landlords must ensure their properties are inhabitable at the start of the tenancy and throughout occupation. Tenants would be able to seek legal redress through the courts, without having to first go through their councils, if landlords fail to do this.
Under the new law, negligent landlords would be required to remove hazards or pay compensation to tenants.
ARLA Propertymark chief executive David Cox said: “We’re pleased the bill has now received Royal Assent after a swift passage through Parliament.
“These new rules will give renters greater protection against criminal operators and is a step in the right direction for the market.
“We congratulate Karen Buck MP on her work and we look forward to continuing to work with her to achieve better enforcement against those who bring the sector into disrepute.”
Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
I will wager now that this legislation will have zero effect on "rogue" landlords. However, social landlords can look forward to lots of legal activity from solicitors only too eager to fill their boots from the legal aid budget.
On the face of it, this is a good Bill. However, life is seldom so straight forward. What happens if the tenant denies access for repair or replacement. Who is responsible for the repair or replacement of items deliberately trashed by the tenant. Who is responsible if the electric or gas meter is made unsafe due to the tenant trying to steal the energy? Isn't it time for the law to recognise that not all tenants are law abiding, some are downright destructive to their own safety.
All this talk about rogue Landlords. Good Lsndlords get tarred with the same brush and they are the majority.
Hit rogue Landlords by fining them top dollar, jail sentence and take away the right to rent out properties. Blaming rogue Landlords is just a smoke screen to globally attack all Landlords.
Considering thise who are unemployed, and this is their main income to avoid going into benefit and to support our family, where is the law to protect those landlords and other good landlords???
Please login to comment