TENANTS may soon be able to reclaim rent from their landlords if they have been forced to live in sub-standard conditions.
It comes as part of new government plans to combat “noxious” landlords.
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The plans, pushed by the government’s Department for Levelling Up, could enable renters to be refunded if they have been living in unfit homes.
If they are introduced, tenants will be able to take their landlord to court to seek a refund for their rent.
It is currently unclear what factors will determine whether a home is unsuitable.
But the proposals could see tenants handed cash if they have been forced to live in unacceptable conditions.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove today confirmed the government would be bringing forward the legislation to “effectively deal” with issues facing renters.
The proposals had first been laid out in the summer, and will see see three major changes made in a “blueprint for renters”.
Among the plans to help renters living in poor conditions is the ending of section 21 no-fault evictions.
As it stands, the law means a landlord can ask you to move out without needing a valid reason if you’re outside of a rental contract.
This often leads tenants to put up with sub-standard conditions out of fear their landlord could ask them to leave for reporting problems.
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Another major change would also see eviction notice periods doubled.
Landlords currently only have to give two months’ notice before starting eviction proceedings.
But under Mr Gove’s plan, should you be evicted for valid reasons, you will have twice as long to find a new place.
The plans form part of the government’s ‘white paper’ proposals to help struggling Brits.
Also on the table is “targeted support” for Brits struggling to afford to pay their private landlord.
While he didn’t provide details on the specific support that would be available to renters, he said a “range of options” are being looked at by ministers.
Today, Mr Gove confirmed he would “bring forward” future legislation to effectively deal with “noxious” rogue landlords.
He told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “Before I left government in the summer, we had put in place plans both to deal with social landlords that are not doing their job effectively, and also to deal with the very small but noxious minority of private landlords who are not treating their tenants properly.
“We will bring forward that legislation to deal effectively with them.”
