Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
10
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Rejected
We are concerned that detached private rented homes with a floor space under 50 square metres are exempt from the MEES, although it is unclear how many homes fall into this category.
Government response. The government has scrapped proposals to require landlords to meet EPC C from 2025 in their private rented properties; landlords can still take advantage of government-backed schemes to improve energy efficiency but at a time that suits them.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
11
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Rejected
Given the importance of the MEES to the Government’s net zero strategy, not to mention the health, cost and other benefits of living in a warm home, we recommend that the MEES be incorporated into criterion D and that the Government come up with financing solutions for PRS landlords for …
Government response. The government scrapped proposals to require landlords to meet EPC C from 2025, stating landlords can still use government-backed schemes to improve energy efficiency at a time that suits them.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
24
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Rejected
Tenants and landlords need access to reliable data on local market rents in comparable properties. The closest available data appears to be that held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which is used to determined local housing allowance rates for broad market rental areas. If sufficiently accurate and granular, this …
Government response. The government rejects intervening in rent setting and states the First-Tier Tribunal is best placed to resolve disputes, and it will update guidance to support engagement with the Tribunal.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
25
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Rejected
The Government should assess whether the data held by the VOA could be used to determine justified rent increases in the PRS. If it concludes that it could, we recommend either that this information be made public so that landlords and tenants can easily see what a justified rent increase …
Government response. The government rejects intervening in rent setting and states the First-Tier Tribunal is best placed to resolve disputes, and it will update guidance to support engagement with the Tribunal.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
26
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Rejected
By getting rid of rent review clauses, the Government could be removing a mechanism for predictable and fair rent rises and replacing it with a system that relies on a resource-intensive and time-consuming appeals process. We recommend Reforming the Private Rented Sector 63 that the Government not abolish rent review …
Government response. The government will not abolish rent review clauses, but states that landlords can increase rents once a year and tenants can challenge this at the First-tier Tribunal if they think it is above market levels. It will not set or …
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
29
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Rejected
The proposal to make it easier for landlords to allow pets by making pet insurance a permitted payment under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 is a sensible and proportionate measure that could make a meaningful difference. On the other hand, the proposal to make it illegal for landlords to unreasonably …
Government response. The government disagrees with abandoning the proposal to strengthen tenants' rights to request to keep a pet, stating landlords can refuse animals if it is reasonable, taking into account factors like the size of the pet and property.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government