| Synopsis: |
This report completes the Law Commission's programme of work on the reform and modernisation of housing law and practice. The earlier reports on this topic are: "Renting Homes: The Final Report ("Cm. 6781")" (ISBN 9780101678124) and "Housing: Proportionate Dispute Resolution ("Cm. 7377")" (ISBN 9780101737722).The focus of this report is the private rented sector, specifically the repair and maintenance of the property and harassment and unlawful eviction. It builds on the consultation paper on this topic "Encouraging Responsible Letting - Consultation Paper 181" (ISBN 9780117037816), which is available to buy below.Divided into six parts, with Appendices, it includes: Part 1: Introduction; Part 2: The Case for Change; Part 3: Changing Approaches to Regulation; Part 4: Options for Change; Part 5: Responses to the Consultation Paper: A Summary; Part 6: Ensuring Responsible Letting: Recommendations; Appendix A: Respondents to Consultation Paper; and, Appendix B: Analysis of Responses to the Consultation Paper.The review offers the prospect of a new regulatory approach that will be of significant social benefit. Implementation of the recommendations in "Renting Homes ("Cm.6781")" would contribute to the understanding of both landlords and occupiers of their mutual legal rights and responsibilities and encourage responsible renting.Smart regulation is proposed, involving much greater self-regulation by the sector, the establishment of housing standards monitors, and codes of practice for housing management practice and letting agents. The recommendations set out a series of affordable and proportionate measures that, by enhancing self-regulation, will improve the management of the private rented sector. |