RENTERS (REFORM) BILL 2023
Under the Renters (Reform) Bill, that was introduced to parliament last month, landlords will only be able to evict tenants in England under certain circumstances. This includes if they want to sell the property or a close family member to move in. If they do evict their tenants, landlords will not be able to re-let their property for three months. Breaching the new rules also carries a fine of up to £30,000.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has welcomed the changes but has said that the councils would struggle to police this property as it would be the councils that would be responsible for enforcement. Therefore, the councils would need more staff and funding to enforce the ban on no-fault evictions in England affectively, local authorities have warned. Darren Rodwell, the LGA’s housing spokesman has said that every council he is aware of has a shortage of environmental health officers and tenancy relation officers, who investigate potential offences related to private rented housing.
Further concerns have been raised regarding the lack of staff and funding. One of which includes Jo Smith, who is a private sector housing manager at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, she has said that councils are already stretched and did not have the recourses to enforce their current housing duties, even before they took on new enforcement responsibilities in the bill. Ms Smith is the only environmental health officer at her council responsible for housing, supported by a team of seven other staff.
The government has said that they would fully fund any additional costs for councils. A Department for Housing, Levelling Up and Communities spokesman said: "We will continue to support councils financially so they have the right resources to put tenants first, that includes fully funding any additional costs that may fall on councils as a result of our proposed reforms."
Disclaimer: the above is not meant to provide legal advice.