Banning order offences are introduced today

Banning order offences are introduced today

Today the Government will introduce banning orders on rogue landlords and letting agents. Local authorities in England can apply to the First-tier Tribunal to issue a banning order against the landlord or agent. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (Banning Order...
Tenant Fee Bill under pre-legislative scrutiny

Tenant Fee Bill under pre-legislative scrutiny

Following the launch of the Governments Draft Tenant Fees Bill the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (MHCLG) has been asked by the Secretary of State to carry out a pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft bill. On the 26 March 2018 the...

Licensing of agents on the cards

In October 2017 there was a 6 week call for evidence about regulating all agents. On the 1st April 2018 the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) released a press statement explaining what they see as the way forward. This will involve an...
New HMO Rules

New HMO Rules

New HMO Rules On 23 February 2018 new HMO rules were agreed by parliament and will come into force on 1 October 2018. The new rules are covered by “The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018”. Mandatory condition and...
Equality Laws and Housing Benefit

Equality Laws and Housing Benefit

It was announced on 26 February 2018 that single mother Rosie Keogh has won compensation for sex discrimination from a letting agency that refused to consider her as a tenant because she was in receipt of housing benefit. The agent informed Ms Keogh that they would...
Electrical Safety Consultations

Electrical Safety Consultations

The Housing and Planning Act 2016, section 122 includes a provision to allow legislation to be brought in requiring landlords to have the mains electrical installation inspected every 5 years. During the course of the next 8 weeks (17 February 2018 until 16 April...