The government has given more details of its consultation on imposing a version of Awaab’s Law on the private rental sector.
And it’s clear from consultation questions released over the weekend that there are numerous key issues still undecided by government.
In particular, the government appears undecided so far on:
- what types of hazard should be covered by Awaab’s Law, in the private sector?
- what requirements there will be on landlords and agents for investigating potential hazards;
- what requirements there will be on agents and landlords to take action to address hazards; and
- the approach and timescales for implementation.
As well as private rented sector tenancies, the consultation also seeks views on whether to apply Awaab’s Law to certain types of accommodation occupied under licence.
Licences are less formal arrangements than tenancies that are often used for accommodation provided on a short-term basis.
So the government is consulting on whether to extend Awaab’s Law to supported housing; temporary accommodation for homeless households; and care leaver accommodation.
The consultation ends in mid-December and after that time responses will be analysed and the government says its response will be setting out next steps will be published “in due course.”
Here is the 64-question consultation: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/leasehold-and-private-rented-sector/awaabs-law-prs-and-licences/
