A major think tank is calling for a radical reform of the private rental sector.
A report from the cross-party independent Social Market Foundation makes it clear that the vast majority of tenants in the private rental sector are currently happy with their properties and their landlords, but it is equally clear that reforms are still required.
It majors on four specific improvements:
1. Increasing the stability of tenancy agreements – A large majority of renters support a fixed minimum contract length: 69 per cent of those questioned by the report authors would be in favour of setting this at 24 months.
2. Giving renters more control over their homes – making it easier to keep pets or make reasonable alterations, such as to décor or energy efficiency.
3. Increase the accountability of landlords – Through a ‘Good Home, Good Landlord’ kitemark scheme, developed in consultation with renters to recognise landlords that offer good, and not just decent, accommodation.
4. Improve the standards of private rented properties – Offer tax incentives for landlords to invest in improvements that align with Good Home Good Landlord kitemark.
The SMF survey involved 1,300 UK adults who currently live in rented accommodation. Surveys were distributed by polling organisation Opinium.
The report was sponsored by Paragon Bank, although the SMF maintained independent control of its findings and recommendations.
Paragon Bank mortgage managing director Richard Rowntree says: “The outdated and tired cliches around privately renting need to be challenged and I welcome the findings from SMF’s report.
“In our experience, the vast majority of landlords seek to provide a good quality home and enjoy a healthy relationship with their tenants; the significant investment in private rented property by landlords has helped drive up standards over the past 15 years and today homes in the sector are generally newer, larger and more energy efficient than ever before."
“We always seek ways to improve the experience of renting further and welcome the recommendations contained in the report. People from all walks of life now call the private rented sector home and we must strive to create a sector that meets everybody’s needs.”
You can see details of the SMF report’s findings showing high levels of satisfaction from current tenants, here.
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Why not give them the deeds while we’re at it ?
A Think Tank no, surely they are a stink tank, Oh yes they say we are very good LL’s which is great. At the same time they say we need to be reformed what a contradiction, why are they on about reforms which haven’t stopped year on year for the last 16 years since introduction of licensing Schemes in 2006 following labour’s Prescott Act in 2004 (so we all voted conservative to carry out labour’s policy’s). So high profile Stink Tank thinks we should be reformed for goodness sake.
What tenant wants to be tied in for 2 years? Oh, wait. You mean they want asymmetric rules whereby they can give notice whenever they want but stay as long as they want? What kind of bilateral agreement is that? An unfair one.
Make alterations? Have smelly pets?
There's a way they can have all the benefits of owning a house and that's to buy one.
The bottom line is if you want a pristine home where you can treat it like your own home whilst having somebody else manage and pay for repairs etc and take on the financial risk then you have to pay for it. Unfortunately a lot of people can't afford that level of service.
Tenants can stay as long as they like and leave when they want. Security of tenure is in Scotland already, pets and personalisation are coming, whatever the consultation finds. And of course, security of tenure is just the opening act, rent controls are on the way. I suppose the only positive of leading the way is that when the PRS collapses up here, you lot will have evidence to try to save yourselves.
Independent Social Market Foundation with a ridiculously small Survey of just 1300 trying to make laws for 13’000’000, renter’s in the Private Rented Sector on their say so, of course it not even this small number as 31% didn’t agree. I went to one of my beautiful properties yesterday with EPC Assessor only to be hit with smell or dog’s wee and very visible on the carpets. The tail is wagging the dog here again.
Once EPC C hits tenants will be lucky to find any home at all. LLs are leaving the sector & yet all the talk is of what tenants want.
Supply & demand will see those LLs who remain in the PRS laying down the rules not tenants.
*Why* is it equally clear reform is still required??
Oh, the actual (proper sample-size) evidence shows different to your expectations, so you’ll just shoot with emotion and supposition instead…??
TIME TO SELL UP AND LET THIS RUBBISH GOVERNMENT HOUSE EVERYONE
Agreed Paul. That's exactly what I'm doing. The ball is rolling and I for one can't wait to get out of the game. 👍
The government and the dogooder groups will not be content until they have wrecked everything and there is mass homelessness. It's an interesting approach to housing the nation.
Tricia - As usual you have read my mind, the EPC debacle will be a game changer, they really are throwing more wood on the PRS fire and appear to have no clue. I have my 'selling up' plan in place and will be watching from the sidelines, i am just so thankful that my wife and I can help our children to purchase a property and not rent, i truly do pity those renters of the next decade and beyond, they will be the 21st century version of the middle aged serfs.
Most of my tenants stay a lot longer than 24 months, but we do need a way to get rid of rogue tenants a lot quicker than the present out dated system.
I, a Landlord, suffer from a pet allergy. This is common, in fact my maintenance guy also suffers. Pets in rentals will cause both of us a major issue. He's worked with me for 19 years and does a great job for me and for my tenants. It won't stop there, what will people that suffer from pet allergies do if they want to rent.
As for 24 month tenancies, many of my tenants don't want a property for 24 months. Some of them want just 6 months. If they're a good tenant I personally wouldn't want them to leave.
Yes I agree with Paul above, "let the Government house them". Thing is we provide properties for City Professionals earning large amounts of money. Can't see them wanting to live in a council house.
I've just transferred my Paragon ISA to a bank that has a more realistic out look.
How about these think tank people are offered employment contracts where they are committed to turn up for two years but their employer can cut off their income at a moments notice and make them spend their last few months income before they can get another job?
Thought not.
I have just had to agree this morning to replacing all the carpets in one of my properties as they have been trashed by the previous tenants dog and still smell even after cleaning. I’m fine to take pets but always charge more to cover the extra damage which there nearly always is.
My agents are today signing a middle aged divorced lady with a dog up for a bungalow of mine with an extra rent for the dog, if I have to replace the carpets when she leaves then hopefully the extra rent paid will cover this.
That’s what I do Andrew and I think it’s perfectly fair. Especially as we aren’t allowed to increase the deposit either. But I imagine someone will try and stop this too soon.
Hi Andrew. How could the extra rent cover for new carpets?
What about scratched doors and woodwork?
I agree with Andrew. There needs to be a quick, easy and cheap way to get rid of bad tenants. When there is late or missing rent payments, that's easy to prove. The LL should then have more power to evict without having to go through lengthy legal process. If a LL can't pay the mortgage because the rents not getting paid, the property will be repossessed and the tenant will be evicted anyway.
Andrew, congrats you are not a HMO and have some money in hand for replacement. They are all are pushing for LL’s to allow pets can someone please tell me in which room in a HMO is the dog going to be kept, or how many m2 floor area do the Regulation’s required for the dog or is he going to sleep in the bed.
An HMO would be totally unsuitable for a dog
Apparently, if you can't get rid of a bad smell you can use an ozone generator. I'm told this will get rid of any nasty smell.
Prevention is better than cure.
No pets = no pet smells, no pet damage, no need for any special or remedial action.
Simples!
In my experience tenants don't want longer tenancies. They prefer the flexibility of being able to move on with a months notice. Young couples move in together and split up within months. Can you imagine the hassle when you tell them they are legally responsible for paying the rent for the full 2 years.
The tenant will have the option to terminate at any time it is only the landlord who will be locked into the two years.
government are worse than Putin!
The government do not own my houses.I comply with all laws.
But will this government pay for pet damages? will it pay for my losses? I sell when I want and if I am not able to sell when I want,the government will have to pay me compensation.
by all means have 24 month tenancies but it applies to tenant and landlord,so a tenant is locked in for 24 months,as is the landlord.But if a landlord wants to sell the government has to buy the property at market price and see out the 24 months for the tenant themselves.
Your remark about Putin is in very poor taste. Our Govt is not shelling civilians.
It’s raining in west London and cars covered white with a milk like substance, I seen sand on cars before but not this.
Yep we have had it here in Norfolk as well
Probably global warming, time for another tax !
George it is always time for another tax.
As the tax revenue on fuel drops because electric cars are gradually taking over, the government will have to find extra tax from somewhere else.
Look at the eco tax already levied on our electricity bills.
Number plate recognition will lead to us being charged for every mile we drive, which might be fairer and will hit the electric car eco warriors just as hard as anyone else.
Brilliant…then I can take out my 5l V8 instead of the Tesla for the same cost (assuming fuel duty is dropped in favour of per-mile charging or when electricity, which is fast becoming the case, equals fossil fuel prices)…
@ Tricia Urquart, -
No 'our' [sic] Govt is not shelling civilians, - they're shelling Private landlords whilst Council Housing and Social Housing remain impervious.
Robert / Luke. I have no doubt NPR system to charge by the mile is not going to be like that, if introduced but applied at all different rates according to the type of vehicle and emissions, just as now to park your diesel car for example in London costs much more than to park a petrol one, its savage sadly it won’t be any cheaper or fairer always more.
You're probably right.
I have a 2016 Honda CRV 1.6 DTEC which can give me over 70 mpg on motorways ( which the Scottish Greens want to demolish in favour of more urban congestion).
I got a permit from the French Government to drive in Paris city centre as they recognise the only engine with lower emissions is electric. Yet in the UK we continue to demonize diesels ( and Nuclear is hated by Greens but the main source of electricity in France).
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