This is the next and final article in our short series, aimed at understanding the important legislative reforms put forward by the Renters’ Rights Bill, where we discuss how the Bill is proposed to be regulated and enforced.

Some of the regulatory and enforcement provisions introduced by the Bill are as follows:

  1. Establishment of a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman – registering with this service will be mandatory for all landlords, who will have to pay a small fee to do so, and free for tenants. The platform will aim to resolve disputes impartially between landlords and tenants.
  2. Mandatory requirement for landlords to register with the Private Rented Sector Database (as discussed in our third article in the series).
  3. The scope and impact of Rent Repayment Orders will be broadened (as discussed in our fourth article in the series).
  4. Strengthened Local Authority powers – Local Authorities will gain enhanced investigatory and enforcement powers and, will have the ability to issue fines up to £40,000 to non-compliant landlords.
  5. Extension of the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals (as discussed in our third article in the series).
  6. Aawab’s Law. This law is named after Aawab Ishak who tragically died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to black mould in his family’s social housing. It currently places an obligation on social landlords to promptly investigate and rectify hazards, including damp and mould, within strict timescales, and the Bill proposes to extend this to all landlords.

The Bill is clearly aiming to build a system of accountability within the private rented sector by introducing more stringent regulatory and enforcement methods and it is safe to assume that they will be welcomed by tenants. However, the implementation and effectiveness of these methods will largely depend on the ability, funding and resources of the regulatory and enforcement bodies, and it remains to be seen whether the Ombudsman scheme will operate straightforwardly and therefore efficiently.

The Renters’ Rights Bill represents a comprehensive effort to bring about significant changes to residential rental market. The changes are certainly set to be impactful for both landlords and tenants, albeit in different ways, and time will tell whether the wider implications of the changes will be positive or negative.

The Bill at the minute is just that, a Bill. It is currently progressing through Parliament and so amendments to the Bill as drafted could be recommended and later adopted.  In any event, the Bill is expected to become law later this year, and we will clarify at that stage just how many of the proposed changes discussed throughout our short series have been written into the legislation.

Read the previous articles:

  1. Navigating the Renters’ Rights Bill
  2. Renters’ Rights Bill: The changes at a glance
  3. Renters’ Rights Bill: Obtaining possession
  4. Renters’ Rights Bill: Private Rented Sector Database and Decent Homes Standard
  5. Renters’ Rights Bill: Rent review reforms and Rent Repayment Orders

 

 

The above article is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any part of the information given.

Furthermore, the information contained is accurate and up to date as of the date of publication. Readers should be aware that legislative frameworks may have been amended since the original date of publication.