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'Good landlords' list proposals 'Good landlords' list proposals
(30 minutes later)
Every private landlord in England will have to put their details on a national register, under government plans.Every private landlord in England will have to put their details on a national register, under government plans.
Landlords who fail to carry out essential repairs or who do not keep tenants' deposits safe could be struck off the list.Landlords who fail to carry out essential repairs or who do not keep tenants' deposits safe could be struck off the list.
Unlike Wales and Northern Ireland, a register already exists in Scotland although one charity has said it has failed to stop rogue landlords.Unlike Wales and Northern Ireland, a register already exists in Scotland although one charity has said it has failed to stop rogue landlords.
Other proposals include regulation of private sector lettings agents.Other proposals include regulation of private sector lettings agents.
Under the plans, tenants would also be given a minimum of two months' notice if they have to leave their home because their landlord's property had been repossessed.Under the plans, tenants would also be given a minimum of two months' notice if they have to leave their home because their landlord's property had been repossessed.
The proposals come shortly after the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) announced it was to introduce a licensing scheme for its UK members and a code of practice for letting agents.The proposals come shortly after the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla) announced it was to introduce a licensing scheme for its UK members and a code of practice for letting agents.
Review
The proposals emerged from an independent review into the private rented sector headed by Julie Rugg of the University of York.
Various groups will now get their say on the plans which include:
  • A register of private landlords in England. They would put their registration number on all tenancy agreements. Poor performance would see them struck off
  • An independent regulator for all letting and managing agents. At present there is no redress for tenants and landlords when things go wrong. Agents do not need professional qualifications
  • A minimum notice of two months for tenants to leave if their landlord's property is repossessed. There have been some cases of people being given less than two weeks to find somewhere new to live.
Cases of repossessions of property owned by buy-to-let landlords are expected to rise, according to some analysts, putting more tenants in this predicament.
Since April, new rules mean tenants get notice seven weeks before their landlord is in court for a repossession hearing, up from two weeks.
The proposals all relate to England, three years after the Scottish register was introduced. Wales and Northern Ireland do not have a register. It is a devolved issue, so assemblies would need to create their own proposals if following suit.