The Housing Minister Kris Hopkins wants the introduction of what he terms as a new more flexible and fairer PRS (private rented sector), as he believes it will ensure that properties' standards will continually rise and will help eliminate rogue landlords.

He asks both tenants and landlords to submit their views on how the government can help improve the private rented sector.

Three of the problems  that  Hopkins has asked for advice to help solve in the PRS are, how to ensure that safety measures such as electrical checks are regularly carried out and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed in every rented property.

 

How best to introduce a system where landlords, because of a letting out a property that contains serious hazards or illegally evicting a tenant, should have to pay money back.

 

He also requested  suggestions on what should be done if landlords evict tenants if they have asked for repairs to be carried out to the property that they rent. 

Hopkins said: "Tenants have a right to live in homes that are safe. But the reputation of our private rented sector is being tarnished by a tiny minority of poor operators who flout the rules and offer substandard accommodation.

"Already we’ve provided over £6.5 million to councils to deal with the problem in their area - but I want to see what more we can do to root out rogue landlords, while ensuring good landlords who obey the rules are able to rent out their quality homes free from red tape."

Footnote:

 

David Cameron has promised to try to change the archaic laws that stop London homeowners being able to rent out their properties to tourists on short term leases.

The law states that anyone wishing to rent out their homes for less than three months are required to ask for planning permission because it is a change of the property's use.

Many people that did indeed let out their homes during the 2012 Olympics, were breaking the forty year old law which is only applicable for the capital.

 

Throughout the rest of country there is no such legal requirement for short term leases .