New tenant rights will mean landlords joining redress scheme

Landlords will be obliged to join an ombudsman redress scheme as part of government efforts to give tenants greater protection.

The new measures were unveiled by the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid.

He said the government will also oblige letting agents to be registered so they are subjected to proper professional oversight.

The new system will make it easier for tenants to challenge excessive fees and unfair treatment.

In a separate move, landlords will be offered incentives to provide longer tenancies to give renters greater security.

Mr Javid said: “”For too long, tenants have felt unable to resolve the issues they’ve faced, be it insecure tenure, unfair letting agents’ fees or poor treatment by their landlord with little to no means of redress. We’re going to change that.

“”We will insist that all landlords are part of a redress scheme and we will regulate letting agents who want to operate.

“”Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes and we will make sure they do.””

We shall keep clients informed of developments.

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