The government has recently released its Rental Reform White Paper, setting out changes to the industry. Read on to find out what is changing and this might impact you…

‘A fairer private rented sector’ white paper sets out the objectives for the private rental sector which include:

• Plans to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, instead introducing a simpler tenancy structure
• Applying the ‘Decent Homes Standards’ to the private rental sector.
• The introduction of a new property portal to help landlords understand the legalities and their obligations.
• Introducing a new ombudsman covering all private rental sector landlords, providing redress for tenants.

The government say that the changes will redress the balance between landlords and 4.4 million private rented tenants, providing support for the cost of living pressures with protections for the most vulnerable, plus new measures to tackle unfair rent increases. Many tenants do not end their tenancy by choice, and the changes in this paper will mean that Section 21 evictions – which allow landlords to terminate tenancies without giving any reason – will be outlawed. Tenants will also be allowed to request pets and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.

The changes form part of the government’s wider Levelling Up bill and will affect all landlords in the private rental sector. To make sure that you understand what these changes mean for you and the obligations now on you as a landlord, why not speak to one of Hose Rhodes Dickson’s rental experts? Get in touch with us here.