This week on Tuesday 15th, the Housing Secretary Michae Gove announced the changes proposed by the Renters Reform Bill to protect vulnerable renters, make homes far safer and to crack down on rogue landlords, to help millions of tenants.

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The Government has made amendments to the Bill making it illegal for agents and  landlords’ practices of overall bans on letting properties to benefit recipients and or who have children, to make sure they are not discriminated against when trying to find a home.

Landlords and agents will still be ‘allowed’ to carry out reference checks to make sure prospective tenants can afford the rent and to make the final decision who can live in the rented properties The Bill will be applied in England and Wales and will be extended to Scotland sometime in a future amendment.

The Social Homes Decent Homes Standard will be introduced into the  private rented sector.

The standard will clearly set out parameters for what renters should expect from their homes in terms of safety, warmth and fit for purpose (decent). The full details are currently undergoing further consultation which intends to help reduce non-decent rented homes by over 50 per cent by 2030.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove says: “Everyone deserves a home that is safe, warm and decent. But far too many live in conditions that fall well below what is acceptable. As part of our Long-Term Plan for Housing we are improving housing standards across the entire private rented sector, while also ending discrimination against vulnerable people and families who are being unfairly denied access to a home.”

His announcement also included an increase in authorities enforcement powers to make rented homes ‘decent’ with fines up to £30,000 or issue banning orders in worst cases. Tenants repayment orders will allow them to claim back 24 months of rent up from the current 12 months.