Following the Queen’s Speech Housing Secretary Michael Gove spoke out attacking landlords for letting out ‘homes’ in dire and unsafe conditions.

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In his statement supporting the Renters’ Reform Bill announced in the Queen’s speech, Gove says: “Too many renters are living in damp, unsafe and cold homes, powerless to put it right, and under the threat of sudden eviction.

“The New Deal for renters announced [in the Queen’s Speech] will help to end this injustice, improving conditions and rights for millions of renters.

“This is all part of our plan to level up communities and improve the life chances of people from all corners of the country.”

Brief details of the Bill were featured in the speech which included the much threatened abolishment of Section 21 eviction rights, changes to Section 8 possession powers introducing grounds to help landlords evict ‘rogue tenants’ under the grounds of repeatedly failing to pay rent, as well as reducing notice periods for tenants’ anti-social behaviour.

A new regulator will be appointed for the PRS to help mediate tenants versus landlords disputes without the need for court appearances.

The government intends to set up a property portal to ‘educate’ landlords on their responsibilities and provides tenants with performance criteria that landlords must adhere to, or else be held to account.

Unsurprisingly the Local Government Association which represents around 339 English local authorities and 22 Welsh councils, fully backs the Bill.

An LGA spokesperson says: “A dramatic recent rise in the number of ‘no fault evictions’ from the private rented sector is putting additional pressure on homelessness services, so we are glad that a plan to strengthen safeguards for private renters is finally in place, allowing renters to challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of eviction.”

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health also fully supports the measures announced in the Queen’s Speech with its  spokesperson saying: “It’s been a long three years since the government announced its intention to ban no-fault evictions. It’s therefore heartening to see the announcement of a Renters Reform Bill, which should help to protect more tenants from homelessness and living in poor housing conditions. The introduction of a national landlord register in England would also be a game-changer for the private rented sector.

“We won’t be able to level up the country without focussing on the fundamentals – improving the places where people live and working to reduce health disparities around the country.”