Here is our weekly look at what’s been happening in the housing news this week.
Council’s first Management Order for HMO
LandlordTODAY has reported that Coventry Council has fined an HMO landlord £60,000.00 for a badly managed and unlicensed HMO and on top of that have taken over the management of the HMO via an interim Management Order.
This means that the tenants pay their rent direct to the council who then ensure that the health and well-being of the tenants is protected. Whilst also trying to improve the day-to-day management of the HMO. The council spokesperson said
The level of the financial penalty notice highlights the severe punishments that can be levied to those who flout the law. These fines are then ring-fenced for use by the team to further their enforcement work.
Good to see a Council taking firm action against a dodgy HMO.
More controversy over Section 21
Rumours have been swirling around all week following a leaked report in The Times that the government were taking a U-turn and would not be getting rid of section 21 no-fault evictions. Much to the dismay and anger of the tenant’s organisations.
However, in a U-turn on a U-turn, and before the tenant’s organisations could really get going with their campaigns, Liz Truss confirmed in PMQs on Wednesday that the government is not backtracking. They will, we are told, definitely, be pressing ahead with plans to abolish Section 21.
However, when this will happen is anybody’s guess. Ms Truss has more pressing problems to deal with just at the moment.
Updates and changes to licensing schemes coming into force
Licensing rules are starting to change frequently and dramatically now in the PRS and are something that landlords need to keep on top of and check regularly with their councils. Here are some of the recent changes that we have identified: –
- Manchester – Expansion proposals in their selective licensing areas, if agreed, enlarged licensing will come into effect in Spring 2023
- Leicester – A new selective licensing scheme launched this week.
- Ealing – Approval was given for a new PRS licensing scheme, which will be the largest of its kind in west London
- Greenwich – New selective licensing scheme launched. This is for all private rented single-household properties in five wards of the borough.
- Scotland – Scotland now requires licensing for Airbnb and short lets from 1st October.
Do your research on council websites regularly, don’t get caught out!
Snippets
- Hollywood legend set to take legal action against high-profile estate agency
- Student renters urged to check licensing status of their homes after management firm forced to repay staggering sum of money
- Pets in Lets – pressure group wants more protection for landlords
- Propertymark opens compliance cases on agents who fall foul of AML rules
- Tom Entwhistle’s ultimate guide to: Dampness, condensation and Mould
- Warm Beds scheme takes the heat out of tenants’ energy bill stress
- ‘We’ll train people to resist evictions’ says Renters Reform group
- Rent freeze call voted down by Labour in Wales
Newsround will be back next week.