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The Queen's speech has shed some light on the much anticipated white paper from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. Confirming previously discussed goals for the government, as well as rescinding others.
Listed below are the big 3 areas that will affect the lettings market, with a small note of the ‘lifetime deposit’ scheme has been removed from the list for the time being. You can read through the Crowns Queens Speech 2022 lobby pack by clicking here.
Landlord Registry
The original discussion would have had all landlords displayed on a public register but this has been delayed in favor of a property portal that will provide clear landlord obligations along with information to enable tenants to enforce their rights against landlords.
Eviction Process
This change comes in multiple parts with the first being the confirmed abolishment of the Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction from the 1988 Housing Act. This is to be replaced with a yet unannounced process that is meant to enable landlords to regain their property efficiently when dealing with rent arrears and antisocial behavior.
Landlords will feel more secure in the Section 21 absence once the white paper details have been released, but the real goal of the government is to keep evictions out of the already overloaded courts.
There were rumors of a new eviction court system but this appears to be replaced with a new Ombudsman. This will go both ways, giving landlords a form of communication that could keep them out of court and the costs associated, but it also gives the residents a process of official complaint.
Home Standards
The Energy Performance Rules (EPC) band C requirement has been set for 2026 but now the government is applying for the first time the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. This is a legally binding standard that all landlords will be required to follow.
Written by Toby Dawson
