The Mayor of London’s initiative to regulate the private sector rental market in London has failed to sign up London landlords to the scheme.
The Evening Standard newspaper reports that out of an estimated 300,000 landlords across the capital, just 14, 319 have registered with the London Rental Standard Database since it was launched last year.
Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged that 100,000 landlords would have signed up by May 2016 to help make sure that accommodation in the private rental sector was of an assured standard and was safe. He set up the scheme in 2015 – but in the last year, just 600 landlords have joined.
City Hall said that the London Mayor had no power to introduce a mandatory scheme for private sector landlords – and had targeted lettings agencies first as they “could reach more homes”.
The Labour Party has said that the Mayor’s system of “voluntary regulation” to set minimum standards for private sector accommodation is providing “little protection” from negligent landlords.
Labour’s London housing spokesman Tim Copley said:
“Londoners need the peace of mind and security of longer tenancy agreements, caps on rent increases – and an end to no-fault evictions.”
Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors
Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise both landlords and rental sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:
• Anti-social behaviour
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• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.
There are Duncan Lewis offices in London and across the UK – and Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors.
For expert legal advice on UK housing law, contact Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.