Enough! With 15 rental sector ‘consultations’ it’s time for action

A trade body says there are 15 formal government consultations going on within the private rental sector - and now it’s time for action, rather than words, to build more homes.

The Residential Landlords’ Association policy director, David Smith, says: “The government currently has at least 15 consultations ongoing affecting the private rented sector, none of which will boost the supply of such of homes. Whilst it is right to properly consult on proposals, no tenant can live in a consultation.”

He says this week’s Budget must trigger action rather than more conversation.

“We need immediate practical action to meet the growing demand for private rented housing in next week’s budget by bringing small plots of unused land into use and creating a pro-growth tax system that supports good landlords to develop the new homes we need.”

The 15 consultations are: 

• Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety;
• Universal Credit Experiment Statistics: Future Developments;
• Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places;
• An Inspection of ‘Right To Rent’;
• Call for Evidence on the Green Deal Framework;
• Protecting Consumers in the Letting and Managing Agent Market;
• Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities;
• Mandatory Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents;
• Future Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution;
• Improving The Home Buying And Selling Process;
• Clean Growth Strategy;
• Cost of Energy Review;
• Review of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) Regulations;
• Building A Market for Energy Efficiency;
• Breathing Space.