Home About Blog Residential lettings news: Rent Reform White Paper – 10 points Landlords need to know
rent reform white paper landlords

The government has now released the full details of the Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper. Housing secretary, Michael Gove, has promised the “biggest shake up of the rented sector for 30 years” and intends to introduce the subsequent Renters Reform Act prior to March next year. Gove went on to say, “This Government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a New Deal to those living in the Private Rented Sector; one with quality, affordability, and fairness at its heart.”

Fiona Roe, Lettings Manager with youngsRPS, looks at what Landlords need to know about the White Paper as it currently stands.

The main points include:

  1. It will be illegal for landlords or agents to have blanket bans on renting to families with children or those in receipt of benefits.
  2. All tenants will have the right to request a pet in their house, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.
  3. Section 21 “No fault” evictions will be banned.
  4. All tenants will be moved onto a single system of periodic tenancies meaning they can leave poor quality housing without remaining liable for the rent or move more easily when their circumstances change. Tenancies will only end if a tenant gives notice, or a landlord has a valid reason defined in law.
  5. Notice periods for rent increases will be doubled. Tenants will also have stronger powers to challenge them if they feel they are unjustified.
  6. A Private Rented Ombudsman will be created to enable private renters and their landlords to resolve disputes quickly, at low cost and without going to court.
  7. Legislation will assist landlords in gaining possession of their properties efficiently from anti-social tenants and enable them to sell their properties when they need to.
  8. A Property Portal will provide landlords with information to assist in understanding and complying with their responsibilities.
  9. The Decent Homes Standard will be extended to include private rented properties. This means homes must be offered free from serious health and safety hazards and in good state of repair.
  10. The government reaffirmed their intention to upgrade “as many points as possible” to an EPC Band C by 2030.


Our Lettings Team are always happy to discuss your options as a Landlord. You can find out more by visiting the Landlords section of www.youngsrps.com