Guidance for landlords to provide additional protection for tenants against poor living conditions has been published today (20/06/18).
Released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the guidance includes further details on the extension of mandatory licensing to smaller homes in multiple occupation (HMOs), as well as introducing minimum bedroom sizes.
Part of the government’s aim to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants, new rules are set to be introduced in HMOs to prevent overcrowding, which the guidance sets out to provide greater information on.
Commenting on the introduction of the rules and their wider aims was Housing Minister, Heather Wheeler MP.
She said: “Everyone deserves a decent and safe place to live.
“Today’s new guidance for landlords will further protect private renters against bad and overcrowded conditions and poor management practice.”
In addition to the publication of the guidance, the government has also announced a review which will look at selective licensing and establish its effectiveness.
At present, landlords must apply for a licence if they wish to rent out a property in areas where the selective licensing applies.
As well as being required to make certain stipulations in regard to property management and safety measures, this also means that the council can check whether they are a “fit or proper person” to be a landlord.
Seeing independent commissioners gather evidence from bodies representing landlords, tenants, housing professionals, as well as local authorities, the review’s findings will be reported in spring next year.
