A recent report published by the Chartered Institute of Housing in conjunction
with the Resolution Foundation is calling for letting agents to stop charging
tenants fees. The report argues, amongst other things, that if fees are
eradicated, the private rental sector will improve. They also suggest that the
government should offer landlords tax breaks if they make an effort to improve
the quality of their accommodation.
Chartered Institute of Housing Recommendations
The main recommendations of the report by the Chartered Institute of Housing
include:
- creation of a set of minimum standards covering management and standards of rental property;
- extend regulation of letting agents and estate agents to prevent them from charging tenants fees;
- offer landlords tax incentives for housing improvements; and
- development of a set of accreditation standards for rental properties
“With more and more people living in the private rented sector – including more
older people, more families with children and more vulnerable people from the
housing waiting list – it’s vital that we look at new ways to raise standards,”
says CIH CEO Grainia Long. “The cost of housing means that for many people,
the private rented sector is the only option, but too many of them are having
to put up with poor standards and insecurity.”
The Chartered Institute of Housing says the rental sector has doubled in size
in the last twenty years – it now accounts for 18% of housing in the UK.
Unfortunately many rental properties fail to meet modern standards and are long
overdue improvements.
