Good News For Tenants

Tenants Fees Ban

From 1st June landlords and letting agents in England will usually only be able to charge tenants for rent, holding deposits and security deposits, with a handful of strictly defined fees permitted. No more wallet-crushing check-in and check-out fees, or ridiculous charges for emails or anything else agents can dream up. Read more on the blog. The next task say generation Rent is to ensure the ban is enforced properly so they are looking at how well councils are currently tackling law-breaking by agents.

End Unfair Evictions

The call to abolish section 21, the rule that allows landlords to evict tenants without a reason, has been gathering steam. So far 6 councils, the latest being Lambeth, have passed motions backing Generation Rents campaign. Meanwhile Shelter have backed the call in their Social Housing Commission Report in January, closely followed by the Institute for Public Policy Research later in the month.

Homes Fit for Human Habitation Act

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act comes into force on 20th March 2019. It puts a new duty on all landlords to ensure that any property they let out is ‘fit for human habitation’, with a new right for tenants to take legal action. Courts can now make landlords carry out repairs and put right health and safety issues, as well as pay compensation to the tenant. The Act comes into force on 20th March for new tenancies signed on or after that date. For tenancies that began before that date, renters will have to wait until 20th March 2020 to use this law. In the meantime, contact your Council if you’re worried about conditions in your home.

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