CIH joins calls for a fairer deal for renters

Responding to ‘The evolving private rented sector: its contribution and potential’, CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE said: “We know that the quality of private rented homes and the way that they are managed is extremely variable. With 20 per cent of our population living in this sector, including households with children and people who are vulnerable, we need to do all that we can to ensure that their homes are affordable, secure and of good quality. Our end game is to see a private rented sector that is properly regulated and professionally managed, so that all renters get a fair deal.”

“With this in mind, CIH welcomes the findings of this new independent research and supports the call for government to take a comprehensive, strategic approach to the sector. We also urge government to consider its other proposals including the introduction of a landlord and letting agent register and a ‘Property MOT’, with the latter giving confidence to renters and clarity to landlords.” The report was written by academics from the University of York and funded by independent charity the Nationwide Foundation. It aims to provide a detailed, independent analysis of who lives in private rented housing, how their needs are being met and the impact of policy interventions over the last ten years.

Nationwide Foundation chief executive Leigh Pearce said: “The private rented sector too often fails to provide decent and affordable homes, particularly for those on low incomes. It’s time for the government to end piecemeal policymaking and instead to develop a strategy for the private rented sector that makes it clear what role the sector plays in the wider housing market. We hope this review will be the start of a cross-party and cross-stakeholder conversation.”

The review calls for the introduction of a landlord and letting agent register, and suggests a new ‘Property MOT’ as a way to bring together and simplify existing regulation and help drive up property standards in rented homes.

The Evolving Private Rented Sector: its Contribution and Potential report is available here

Find out more

• Blog: 'If longer fixed terms are going to be introduced, legislation is the best way forward'
• Report: Benefit freeze puts private renting out of reach for low-income tenants and risks fuelling homelessness