Post by nickd on Feb 5, 2011 8:41:33 GMT 1
There was some good coverage on the BBC News this morning concerning rising concerns over 'rogue landlord's' who do little to provide their tenants with decent properties. The national charity Shelter spoke of concern over the withdrawal of Legal Aid and any move to reduce legislation which requires land lords to get their act in order. A good example was given of a tenant who lived with her young child, showing a property which was in a very poor state - with live electrical wiring being exposed. A recently introduced report suggests over a million private properties are in states of dangerous disrepair.
Government Minister Grant Shapps MP appeared this morning, he stuck to the party line - a suggestion that more legislation wasn't the answer - a suggestion quickly knocked back by Shelter.
Here's a little of what Grant Shapp said back in the summer of last year in a Guardian article.....
"Landlords and letting agents will not be subject to greater regulation because this would introduce too much additional red tape, the government said today.
Speaking in parliament, housing minister Grant Shapps said he was rejecting the regulations proposed by the previous government following recommendations from the Rugg Review, a report into the private rented sector.
These included the establishment of a national register of landlords, regulation of letting and managing agents, and compulsory written tenancy agreements.
Shapps said: "With the vast majority of England's 3 million private tenants happy with the service they receive, I am satisfied that the current system strikes the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
"So today I make a promise to good landlords across the country: the government has no plans to create any burdensome red tape and bureaucracy, so you are able to continue providing a service to your tenants."
Instead, Shapps said he expects councils to use the range of powers available to them to tackle "rogue landlords". These include requiring landlords to take action to rectify hazards in their property; where landlords resist, the ability to make and charge for improvements and to prohibit use of the affected parts of the property; and discretionary licensing powers to tackle areas blighted by poorly managed privately rented stock."
The lack of commitment over ensuring proper legislation is in place - together with no access to legal advice will do little to stop the rising trend for landlords to rent out unsatisfactory properties - putting tenants in danger in the process. These are the sort of problems which will no longer be within the scope of the Legal Aid scheme - effectively blocking tenants from taking action against their landlords. This is another example of unfairness on people who will need to fork out for out far more than they should on trying to keep poor condition properties warm and safe - whilst the private landlord gets away with bucking his responsibilities. The lack of affordable housing will see this unhealthy trend continue.
If anyone can locate a link to this morning's coverage - perhaps they could post it?
www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jun/10/landlord-regulation-proposals-scrapped
Government Minister Grant Shapps MP appeared this morning, he stuck to the party line - a suggestion that more legislation wasn't the answer - a suggestion quickly knocked back by Shelter.
Here's a little of what Grant Shapp said back in the summer of last year in a Guardian article.....
"Landlords and letting agents will not be subject to greater regulation because this would introduce too much additional red tape, the government said today.
Speaking in parliament, housing minister Grant Shapps said he was rejecting the regulations proposed by the previous government following recommendations from the Rugg Review, a report into the private rented sector.
These included the establishment of a national register of landlords, regulation of letting and managing agents, and compulsory written tenancy agreements.
Shapps said: "With the vast majority of England's 3 million private tenants happy with the service they receive, I am satisfied that the current system strikes the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
"So today I make a promise to good landlords across the country: the government has no plans to create any burdensome red tape and bureaucracy, so you are able to continue providing a service to your tenants."
Instead, Shapps said he expects councils to use the range of powers available to them to tackle "rogue landlords". These include requiring landlords to take action to rectify hazards in their property; where landlords resist, the ability to make and charge for improvements and to prohibit use of the affected parts of the property; and discretionary licensing powers to tackle areas blighted by poorly managed privately rented stock."
The lack of commitment over ensuring proper legislation is in place - together with no access to legal advice will do little to stop the rising trend for landlords to rent out unsatisfactory properties - putting tenants in danger in the process. These are the sort of problems which will no longer be within the scope of the Legal Aid scheme - effectively blocking tenants from taking action against their landlords. This is another example of unfairness on people who will need to fork out for out far more than they should on trying to keep poor condition properties warm and safe - whilst the private landlord gets away with bucking his responsibilities. The lack of affordable housing will see this unhealthy trend continue.
If anyone can locate a link to this morning's coverage - perhaps they could post it?
www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jun/10/landlord-regulation-proposals-scrapped