Nottingham has received support to crack down on unethical property owners following the implementation of new tenant safeguards.
From May this year, all property owners must comply with the Renters’ Rights Act introduced by the Labour administration, which includes prohibiting so-called no-fault removals so that occupiers can no longer be forced to vacate properties without legitimate justification.
Those renting have been awaiting this reform for considerable time, with former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May having initially committed to banning no-fault evictions back in 2019.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has awarded Nottingham City Council approximately £300,000 to carry out the fresh legal obligations, with council employee demands anticipated to grow as a consequence.
The Labour-run council states the funding will enable stronger action against dishonest landlords, alongside expanding acceptable housing criteria and addressing bias in rental practices.
Updated acceptable housing criteria now require that a property be devoid of perilous dangers, maintained to a satisfactory condition, provide essential amenities, thermal comfort and be free from dampness and mildew.
Paul Greevy, strategic housing manager, explained that these changes will affect current staffing capacity through improved information exchange, heightened demand for landlord compliance and enforcement activities, additional enquiries regarding housing conditions, unlawful removals and tenancy entitlements. He added that this will additionally involve extra statistical reporting and greater need for public information initiatives about new occupier protections. The funding will permit an expansion in both capacity and promoting understanding of the legislation, allowing the local authority to fulfil its legal obligations.
The Renters’ Rights Act took effect on May 1.
Concerns had been expressed in the city beforehand, as numerous occupiers were removed via a Section 21 notice. During February through April this year, 230 individuals and households in the city approached the council’s Housing Solutions service after receiving a Section 21 removal notice. During the identical three-month period the previous year, 479 people were issued such notices by private rental sector property owners.
The fresh legislation additionally eliminated fixed-term agreements in favour of open-ended periodic tenancies, making departure simpler, pets are now permitted and can only be prohibited for valid reasons, property owners must provide at least eight weeks’ notice before raising rent, and rent may only be adjusted once annually.
Occupiers may also contest the increase and rent may only be raised to comparable market levels.
Reform UK has faced criticism for its intentions to repeal the legislation should they gain power in 2029, with advocacy organisations contending that Nigel Farage’s rebranded Brexit Party is aligning itself with unethical landlords.