Huge support for clampdown on rogue agents and landlords says government

The Department of Communities and Local Government has published a summary of the 600 responses it has received to its recent consultation process - and it says there is overwhelming backing for its clampdown on rogue agents and rogue landlords. 

In the summer the departments asked a series of questions aiming to get broad views towards a range of measures to tackle the worst offenders in the lettings industry. 

In summary those views were:

Deposits: 84 per cent of respondents felt data held by Tenancy Deposit Protection schemes should be made available to local authorities. 

Blacklist: Some 92 per cent wanted a blacklist database of serial rogue landlords and letting agents. The database would only be accessible by local housing authorities and central government.

‘Fit and Proper’ Test: 92 per cent believed additional criteria should be added to the 'fit and proper person test' for HMOs and possibly other properties, adding to criteria listed in the Housing Act 2004. 

Rent Repayment: Some 85 per cent thought that Rent Repayment Orders should be issued where tenants have been illegally evicted, extending the scope for this already existing in the Housing Act 2004.

Abandoned Properties: 51 per cent said that a proposed new process for dealing with abandoned properties (where a tenant disappears without notice) would be effective. 

The full list of questions and responses, plus a summary of what happens next, is in the DCLG’s 15-page document you can find here.