In response to the UK Government’s plans for a Renters’ Reforms White Paper, Propertymark has detailed its own recommendations for changes in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in England. 

The Future of Renting position paper tackles areas of the private rented sector that have been under the microscope by the UK Government – affordability, consumer protection and access to justice. The paper highlights the contribution the PRS makes to the housing system and makes poignant recommendations on deposit reform, energy efficiency targets, digitalising possession claims and bringing forward new mandatory grounds in favour of fair access to justice should Section 21 be abolished. 

Commenting, Timothy Douglas, Propertymark policy and campaigns manager, said: “The private rented sector will be a keen focus for the UK Government in 2022 and we need to see collective oversight from all government departments that interact with the sector, putting overall policy development in the context of supply, tenancy management, being a tenant, inspections and enforcement, access to justice and future-proofing the sector. 

“Further change is non-sensical without regulating letting agents, and if the UK Government remove Section 21 it should be replaced with a system that makes all grounds mandatory. Additionally, any plans to extend redress membership to landlords should be to those who self-manage property only.”