White paper to tackle unfair evictions and bad landlords in England
Measures to tackle unscrupulous private landlords who evict tenants without giving a reason or who let unsafe homes, will be introduced under government proposals aimed at giving a better deal for millions of renters in England.
The centrepiece of the fairer private rented sector white paper, published by the government on Thursday, is the outlawing of “no-fault” evictions – currently the biggest single cause of homelessness in England.
The long-delayed paper will also set out proposals to force private landlords to improve the quality of damp, dirty and unfit homes where conditions put the health of tenants at risk. A fifth of all private rented properties are estimated to be of substandard quality.
Other measures include tackling arbitrary and unfair rent increases, and steps to outlaw “no DSS” policies whereby landlords operate a blanket ban on letting homes to people receiving benefits. All tenants will have the right to request having a pet in the home, which landlords will not be able to “unreasonably refuse”.
Michael Gove, the levelling up and housing secretary, said:“For too long many private renters have been at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords who fail to repair homes and let families live in damp, unsafe and cold properties, with the threat of unfair ‘no fault’ evictions orders hanging over them.
“Our new deal for renters will help to end this injustice by improving the rights and conditions for millions of renters as we level up across the country and deliver on the people’s priorities.”
Campaigners have welcomed the proposals, which are expected to be introduced in a renters reform bill later this year, more than three years since the government first pledged to end no-fault evictions.
Polly Neate, the chief
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