1st
Jul 2022
Baroness Kennedy, director of Generation Rent, is pushing for an agreement with councils to help renters to understand their ‘Tenants’ Rights’.
The charity states that two thirds of private tenants have no idea that councils can help them with issues.
It claims that 49 per cent of PRS tenants have damp and mould problems in the rented ‘home’ and claims that apparently only 21 per cent were given the government guidance pamphlet from their landlord.
Generation Rent’s statements have come to light ahead of an appearance at a local government conference this week and claims it is already working with a five councils in creating a Private Tenant Engagement Charter.
The charity also says that many tenants are unaware of their rights and means they are having to put with poor housing conditions.
The Baroness states that 49 per cent of respondents to its survey said they have had to put up with damp and mould issues in their rented homes and 27 per cent said they had “experienced concerns about their health while renting.”
Baroness Kennedy says: “Private renters are at a greater risk of living in an unsafe home than any other tenure, and they are least likely to understand their rights and who can help them deal with problems.
“The government has proposed the introduction of a new portal to inform tenants, as well as new powers to raise standards.
“Local authorities will continue to play a critical role, but to make best use of these new tools, our Private Tenant Engagement Charter will help them better understand of renters who live locally.
“The pioneering councils we have worked with have helped shed light on a huge section of their residents who don’t get enough attention, and we’ve found that wherever you are in the country the same problems persist.
“Every council can improve private renters’ lives by taking just a few steps to make them more visible and make sure they are listened to.”
Richard Merrick of PIMS, says: “Once again overblown and somewhat spurious figures from the tax payers funded charity.
“Anyone with a modicum of sense knows that opening windows whilst drying clothes will help stop mould and damp, unfortunately some private tenants simply do not bother.”
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