Welcome to our Newsround, let’s see what the team has found this week in the housing news.
Fuel Poverty call for targeted Warm Homes support
The Fuel Poverty committee has called on the government to support lower-income landlords with extra support from £5 billion Warm Homes Fund managed by the Government.
It claims that lower-income landlords could struggle more to improve the energy rating on their properties by the cut-off date of 2030, which will impact fuel-poor tenants. They want the government to produce incentives that are targeted to specific landlords.
They say
Targeting lower-income landlords will enable retrofit work to be completed that may not otherwise have been possible.
There is also concern that, without a targeted approach to support upgrade work, many of the rented homes will not be upgraded, which will severely impact the supply of rental properties on the market.
Non compliant landlord added to Rogue Landlord Database
A rogue landlord who failed to deal with serious safety hazards and had no relevant licenses has been fined £13,936. The council state that they will now follow up getting him added to the Rogue Landlord Database.
The database is used to record landlords and property agents who have committed serious housing offences, and as the landlord did not attend the hearing, he was convicted in his absence.
Christian Hogg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, added that they ‘will take appropriate action under the range of powers available to them’.
Government hints at re-hauling deposit schemes
The government has hinted that it is considering removing the option of insured deposit schemes (where the landlord or agent holds the funds subject to statutory safeguards) as this gives an ‘inherent power in balance’ according to Matthew Pennycook, Housing Minister. He also claims that it is easier for fraud leaving the tenant exposed.
Custodial schemes (where the deposit is held by the scheme provider) could be the only way forward, according to Eddie Hooker, CEO of MyDeposits, he says
The wider question is whether the government believes the benefits of a single custodial approach outweigh the loss of choice currently available to landlords and agents. For now, the minister’s answer should be seen as a signal rather than a decision.
He adds that this is a clear indication of what the government could be considering next regarding the ‘future of tenancy deposit protection’.
An interesting post from landlord advisor Julie Ford says that there are problems with the insured model as
- Agents can use the money to bankroll their business
- If they then collapse the deposit money is often missing (meaning landlords have to refund the deposit scheme if they pay out to tenants), and
- There is no standardisation for adjudications
Concluding
The government is right to explore reform but the real opportunity isn’t just in who holds the money.
It’s in ensuring the system that governs it is genuinely fair, consistent, and fit for purpose.
Snippets
Quarter of tenants served eviction notice ahead of new rules
Large social landlords must publish electrical safety checks data
Pet rentals carrying a premiums up to £1,300
Landlords face £40,000 fines for misuse of possession grounds
Agents call for tax breaks to help landlords meet EPC targets
Labour reveals revolutionary changes to buying, selling and agents
The Guardian: Giles Peaker obituary
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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