Housing Issues
Private tenants face the following issues:
Tenancy Deposits
There is evidence already to suggest that landlords are circumventing the Tenancy Deposit Scheme requirements by
not taking a deposit, and then making up the 'shortfall' by demanding two months rent in advance, and charging large
fees for tenancy renewal, and in other administrative fees.
'there is nothing
to stop landlords charging an increased administration fee at the start of the tenancy, including fees for tenancy
agreements, inventory, reference checks and general administration.'
Related material: Spring 2006 Newsletter (opens in a new window)
Retaliatory eviction
According to Citizens Advice Bureau(CAB) nearly a million tenants fear eviction if they complain about the poor state of their homes.
Rogue landlords are exploiting a legal loophole to evict tenants in 'retaliation' for complaining or asking for repairs, the Citizens Advice Bureau says in a report.
Related report: CAB report (opens in a new window)
Renting Homes Final Bill
The Law Commission published its final Renting Homes Bill and reports in May 2006 and it remains with the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Much in this Bill is worth campaigning for; it gives tenants clearer rights in contracts which carry a lot of "consumer"
protection, and it sweeps away a lot of historical irrelevence which makes housing law such a difficult subject to understand. The real
problem we have as campaigners is the removal of the protection from eviction during the first 6 months of the assured shorthold tenancy.
However the Law Commission is aware of this caveat and is indeed, under its responsible renting consultation, examining ways to improve security of tenure for private tenants
in some circumstances.
CFPT still believes that provision needs to be made to increase security of tenure for private tenants rather than
reduce it. You are welcome to join us in this campaign.
Related report: CAB report: Renting Homes (opens in a new window)
Do you agree that the Law Commission is right to do away with the six-month lower limit on Shorthold tenancies? Give us your opinion
