A new government survey of private renters is checking whether they received the correct documentation from their agent when they begin a tenancy.
The 20 question survey was launched earlier this month and continues until November 17.
It takes no more than 10 minutes to complete and asks tenants whether they found their property via a lettings agent, and then more detailed questions quiz renters on what documentation they were given.
Perhaps most tellingly, it includes questions as to what additional information private renters may find useful in future - information not currently required to be passed on by agents to tenants.
This includes the name and contact details of landlords, information about a landlord’s convictions for housing offences, additional safety information about the property, and details of the property’s energy efficiency.
A covering note issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says: “The survey is aimed at those with experience renting privately in England, or those who are considering renting privately in the near future.”
And elsewhere in the covering note, the Department reveals that the survey is part of the background work for the White Paper and possible Renters Reform Bill, scheduled for release over the winter.
The covering note says: “In the Queen’s Speech, the Government committed to bringing forward reforms to drive improvements in standards in privately rented accommodation and supporting local authorities to conduct well targeted, effective enforcement that drives out criminal landlords.
“As part of the Government’s commitment to explore the merits of a national landlord register, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities are engaging with a range of stakeholders across the private rented sector.
“This survey will inform this work and help us to further understand the difficulties individuals face when renting, letting or enforcing property standards in the Private Rented Sector.”
You can see the survey for yourself here.
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Most tenants dont have a clue what they have been sent, what they are called, haven't read most of the emails, opened none of the attachements, they aren't interested. They might browse the TA briefly before they sign it but thats it.
"Have you been sent your Prescribed Information Mr tenant?" Most common answer will be "Whats that?" Thats if they even read this survey email.
It's the landlord's responsibility to ensure all documents are read and understood.
What a silly comment from Unhappy Tenant. f you have the legal capacity to sign an AST, then you are considered to have the capacity to read what is sent to you or do you need a nanny to watch over you as you read and help with the big words?
Unhappy Tenant- the Landlord or their agent are only obliged to supply- it is a Tenant's own responsibility to read and to ensure you understand their content (especially when it comes to any form of contract)
Yep, but we have a communist government who is determined to drive out the small landlords and give the propertyto the tenant, Part of the great reset.
I would hardly call our current Tory government communist. The only thing that needs resetting is your brain.
How can you ensure that a tenant has read all documents? Impossible, never mind understood.
In honesty, lots of tenants can't even read in the first place!
No, lots of tenants would just prefer not to read what you type.
Unhappy Tenant, your disparaging comments are very rude. This government and previous ones have open borders, are destroying the indigenous peoples and have defunded the police and the armed servise. Have price controls which are bankrupting comapnies, are advised by shelter, taxing people to death, destroying faimly life etc etc.Obviously you are an activist. Please tell us about yourself.
Well we don't need to ask to know you are a signed up member of the BNP.
Unhappy tenant you dontt reply to the argument instaed you seek to stigmatise me. How long have you been in momentum ?
I would say this is the pot calling the kettle black, but you would only ask for them both to be deported.
Unhappy tenant, very witty. I suggest you get into education and out of politics, its quite a gift if you can get people to read and understand documentaion , noting that alot of people cant actually read.
Thank you, I will take that on board.
A lot. It's two words, not one.
Unhappy tenant seems like an unhappy person and proves it by the comments.
Judging by the comments you've liked on this article, I'll assume your real name is Nigel Farage.
@ Unhappy Tenant. I shall next reply to your puerile posts when you have a) grown up and b) have something intelligent to say.
Okay, Nige.
Unhappy tenant, who are you working for ? How much do they pay? Might be a good part time job ! I think that you are very frustated in your existing role, perhaps you took the wrong courses at Univerisity and got a dead end degree., with massive debts You can always re-qualify, try a stem subject, quite easy to get a job then. Thankyou for correcting my typos. Hope you watch Farage on 236, he had a momentum man on very recently.
Edwin Morris, you don't reply to the argument, instead you seek to stigmatise me. How long have you been in the EDL?
Who you working for? Border force?
Anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering …
Is Edwin Morris transitioning?
Fed up Landlord
What is transitioning?
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