The Law Commission has published its final report on renting homes. Proposals are made for a wholsesale reform of both private and public sector tenancies and licences. A draft bill is also attached to the report.
The Law Commission has published a consultation paper dealing with issues of how to promote responsible behaviour by landlords, and control anti-social behaviour by tenants in the private sector. The consultation period closes on 12 October 2007.
Included in the document is a proposal for “enforced self-regulation”. The following paragraphs appear in the summary of the consultation document:
”1.24 We propose instead a system of enforced self-regulation. This approach combines the benefits of self-regulation with a mechanism of external enforcement. We suggest that all landlords be part of a professional association or accreditation scheme. They could choose from one of the following options:
(1) join a local authority landlord accreditation scheme;
(2) become a member of one of the associations of private landlords (of which there are a number throughout the country); or
(3) let their premises through a letting agent who is a member of one of the letting agents’ professional bodies
1.25 Do consultees agree with our analysis? Do consultees consider that we have properly assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the three principal options? What alternative approaches or variations might be considered? What other options should we consider? Or are there variations on our options that would make them more attractive?”