Have you ever used Tripadvisor?
It’s a website that lists information
about hotels and people post
reports on hotels they have stayed in,
rating and commenting on their visit. In
theory it’s a great idea but despite
Tripadvisor’s best efforts, anyone who
uses the site regularly knows that you
have to apply a liberal pinch of salt when
reading the reviews.
The latest whizz bang idea by the
Government is to launch a Tripadvisor
style website where tenants can post
their views on their landlord’s
performance. How fair this process will
be is anyone’s guess but it should give
tenants, ‘practical help and protection’
says John Healey, Housing Minister.
He also announced a new housing
hotline giving free advice to tenants.
Both are part of a package of measures
outlined in ‘The Private Rented Sector:
Professionalism and Quality:
consultation responses and next steps’,
following the 2008 Rugg Review, which
will “ensure tenants have the information
they need to make informed decisions
about the homes they rent, legal
protection and certainty about their
rights and extra support to help them
deal with any disputes”.
Mr Healey also confirmed his
intention to, “introduce the National
Landlords Register and a tougher
regulatory regime for letting agents to
drive out the rogue elements that can
tarnish the image of the sector and those
who play by the rules. Over three million
families live in private rented housing
and while the majority of tenants say
they’re happy with their homes and
landlords many do face problems with and
should have better help on hand. Creating
Local Letting Agencies, where councils and
good landlords work together will help to
side-line the cowboys across the country.”
It all sounds marvellous, except, perhaps,
for the landlords, who may well wonder
about where their rights to privacy,
security and protection from malicious
comment went. Most will agree that
regulation is a reasonable idea and that
anything that drives away the cowboys can
only help them, but will it work? Who will
manage and enforce the regulation? Will it
be independent and fair?
Ian Potter (pictured), Operations Manager, ARLA,
said, “This is a long overdue response.
14 per cent of the population now live in
private rented accommodation and the
sector looks set to grow significantly.
There is even greater need for a register
of landlords, full regulation of agents, and
changes to the AST. Therefore we
support the Government in its move
towards full regulation of agents, and
anticipate working with the Minister and
his team on how this will be put into
practice. The Government must now
work to convince the consumer that the
PRS is a viable housing choice and one in
which they can have confidence. The
increase in ASTs is a good step to take
but we need further details from the
treasury consultation on investment in
the PRS and how it can grow to
accommodate demand.”
Caroline Pickering, Chair of NALS
said, “It is encouraging to see positive
responses to the Rugg Review
Consultation and its suggestions. It
shows a demonstrable commitment to
the Private Rented Sector and an
overwhelming consensus that raising
standards in the sector is not only a focus
for the industry but will best protect all
involved; including consumers and
landlords and the reputation of the sector.”
“The Consultation confirms that this,
quite rightly, is still on the political agenda
and re-enforces the sensible and
achievable next steps.
“We held licensing forums over the
summer chaired by Lord Richard Best,
with industry and consumer groups
represented. The feedback was
supportive of the need for regulation of
lettings and management agents.
The framework which resulted showed
that this is not only feasible in terms of
cost but will deliver clarity and
confidence to consumers with a
minimum burden on the industry.”
