Council to crack down on 'rogue landlords'

GOOD landlords should have nothing to fear from the biggest reform in the private rented sector in nearly 40 years - but rogue landlords need to watch out, says Plymouth City Council.

- By ALISON STEPHENSON

The Renters' Rights Bill aims to give greater security to renters so they can stay in their homes for longer and avoid homelessness and strengthen enforcement powers for local authorities, with landlords facing fines up to £40,000 for noncompliance.

The private rented sector currently provides the least affordable, poorest quality and most insecure housing of all tenures, according to the government.

One of the key changes of the bill will be the abolition of section 21 or “no fault” evictions which allow landlords to end a shorthold tenancy without needing to give a reason. Section 21 evictions are partly responsible for a surge in homelessness in Plymouth and nationally over the past few years.

The Renters’ Rights Bill is going through its last stages in parliament and due for Royal Assent in the next few weeks, after which it will become law. Many aspects will start to come into play next year.