Measured Protection?
In February 2010, Housing Minister, John Healey announced a new package of measures, which have been designed to protect tenants in the privately rented housing sector. The new package, which Mr. Healey presented offers tenants:
- Requirement for written tenancy agreements in all tenancies that will strengthen the hand of tenants should they face a dispute.
- A National Register for landlords to help tenants make basic checks on their potential landlords.
- Better regulation of letting & management agents.
- A ‘tripadvisor’ style word of mouth website comparing landlords.
- A new housing hotline offering free advice to private tenants.
Obviously, legislation should be put in place to protect the tenant, but in todays times, the landlord is just as vulnerable. Long gone are the outdated, Dickensian version of landlords depicted as evil, hard hearted villains with handlebar moustaches.
Under the present economic climate, many landlords are barely hanging on. Legislation of LHA payments, which are paid direct to the tenant have caused a costly expense to many a landlord and is not an excuse accepted by banks when mortgages need to be covered by landlords.
Not all tenants, pay on time and respect the property they rent. A recalcitrant tenant can leave the landlord not only with damage to property, but with a sizeable amount of rent owing. “ The main reason a landlord will ensue eviction and seek an order to regain possession of a property is due to rental arrears and none-payment of rent. It’s the last course of action a landlord will resort to, after every avenue has been explored and every effort to communicate with the tenant has been made”, said Steve Moss at Legal 4 Landlords.
While protecting and supporting tenants in the private sector is a needed measure, it is only fair that the same courtesy, planning and support should also be extended to the landlords, who in these vulnerable times should also merit some of the same protection.
By
Madalena Penny
