Government to review private rented sector

Contractors working on private rented housing could find themselves subject to greater scrutiny as the government has announced plans for a review of the sector this summer.

Around 2.6 million homes are rented from half a million private landlords but a Citizens Advice Bureau report in 2007 found one in five tenants were dissatisfied with repairs carried out by their landlords and feared retribution if they complained.

Housing and planning minister Yvette Copper said: “The private rented sector is, at its best, a vital provider of good housing. But too few people are aware of their rights and responsibilities, either as tenants or landlords. We have seen a big increase in the private rented sector and particularly in buy to let.”

Some landlords also face problems with tenants refusing to pay rent and anti-social behaviour and the review has been welcomed by the British Property Federation.

BPF director for residential policy Ian Fletcher said: “The modern private rented sector has achieved a lot over the past 20 years but is having to adapt to new circumstances - for example, the need to house people unable to buy or access social housing.

“This poses new opportunities and challenges, and the review is therefore timely. We are generally positive that government is keen to support a sector which delivers for a wide variety of occupiers and landlords. Our hope is that a more strategic approach to the sector across government will help it keep its promises.”

The review will be led by Julie Rugg and David Rhodes from the Centre for Housing Policy at York University.