All private landlords in the UK are to be forced to join a redress scheme, the Government has revealed, scooping up an estimated 1.5 million landlords into regulation.
The announcement is part of a wide-ranging package of regulatory measures revealed by Secretary of State for Housing James Brokenshire following last year’s consultation on the subject.
Brokenshire plans to “bring forward legislation that will require all private landlords, including providers of purpose-built student housing and park home site operators, to belong to a redress scheme,” he says. “This would ensure that all tenants have access to redress services in any given situation and that all complaints can be addressed.”
Brokenshire is also to set up both a one-stop shop for housing complaints regardless of tenure to be called the Housing Complaints Resolution Service, and a single code of practice to cover all the housing sectors.
“Personally, I think this is a really positive step, not only in boosting protection for millions of renters across the country but also for recognising ‘landlording’ as the professional business that it should be,” says Paul Shamplina of Landlord Action (left).
“It will encourage landlords to focus on customer service and building relationships, as well as the quality of their properties, help to professionalise the industry and provide a level playing field for landlords and tenants.”