Renters Reform Survey

HMO1. Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) represent a significant part of the private rented sector, and often provide the most significant management challenges for private landlords.

Given the relative density of occupation do you believe that landlords require additional possession grounds specific to HMO tenants?

SL1. Student tenancies require a greater degree of certainty that they will be brought to an end by a given date (to ensure that new tenancies may begin in time for the new academic year).

It has been suggested that landlords benefit from a specific ground allowing landlords to serve notice based on the expiry of the initial fixed term.

Do you agree with this suggestion?

C1. The NRLA has proposed that conciliation be made available to all landlords and tenants as a means of resolving disputes without recourse to the courts.

Such a system would be designed to take place after service of notice and completed before its expiry, therefore not extending the possession process further.

Do you agree with this approach?

C3. It has been suggested that failure to engage with conciliation should be taken into account by the courts if a possession hearing is required.

Such a system would be designed to take place after service of notice and completed before its expiry, therefore not extending the possession process further.

Do you agree with this approach?

C3-2.* It has been suggested that failing to abide by the conciliation agreement should lead to sanctions for the relevant party?

Do you agree with this approach?

C3-3.* It has been suggested that if a tenant breaks the agreement, the landlord should have access to an accelerated court procedure, and if the landlord breaks the agreement, they should not be able to seek possession on the same grounds for six months.

Do you agree with this approach?

RS1. It is proposed that all landlords should register with a redress provider, in a similar way to letting and management agents at present.

Do you agree with this approach?

CR1. Reform of the courts has long been a discussion point for government.

Do you believe that the courts (in relation to possession claims) are in need of reform?

LD1. The Government has committed to providing a means to facilitate ‘lifetime deposits’. The NRLA has suggested that this could take two forms:

a. A financial bridging facility that would allow tenants to access affordable credit to bridge the gap between the return of their last deposit and the need to provide a deposit to their next landlord.

b. A savings facility, similar to the 'Help to Buy ISA' into which tenants would pay their deposit and be encouraged to continue to save to potentially provide a deposit to buy a home in the future. They would be unable to withdraw below the minimum funds required to satisfy their tenancy deposit. This would be linked to ADR in the same way that the current TDP schemes are, only releasing funds after potential disputes have been resolved

Do you agree with these proposals?