Info for agents: This is how to tell MPs about reform of rental sector

Agents have until November 24 - two days after the next Budget - to submit evidence to the latest probe into the private rental sector by MPs.

On Friday we reported that the all-party Communities & Local Government Select Committee of MPs had launched a new enquiry into improving the sector, with a particular focus on local authority-led regulation. 

The support team behind the committee has now announced that agents and others can submit proposals to the inquiry in the form of a Word document; there is also guidance on submitting evidence to a select committee which can be found here. 

The committee particularly wants agents’ views on:

• Whether councils have the powers and resources to enforce standards and deal with rogue landlords?;
• The obstacles to effective intervention and regulation in the private rented sector;
• Whether landlord licensing produce higher quality accommodation?;
• Innovative approaches local authorities have taken to promote affordable private rental homes in their areas; and
• How effective are current complaint mechanisms for tenants in the private rented sector?

Meanwhile the industry continues to give its backing to the MPs’ investigation.

NALS chief executive Isobel Thomson says: “For too long rogue operators have slipped under the enforcement radar so focussing on measures to address this situation is a positive move by government. Coupled with the promise of increased regulation and the introduction of mandatory CMP, we can see that steps are starting to be put in place to create a very different private rent sector in the future; one that is fairer for all.”