Housing Solicitors

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell has announced that minimum room sizes will apply to shared homes, to help to clamp down on rogue landlords cramming tenants into unsafe and overcrowded homes and improve housing for thousands of rental tenants.

Measures will strengthen councils’ ability to tackle problem homes and bring an end to landlords who exploit tenants and charge them high rents to live in poor conditions.

The proposals – published on Tuesday (18/10/16) – improve standards for shared homes by making it clear that bedrooms must not fall below a minimum room size of 6.52sqm. The proposals close a loophole which allows some landlords to let out rooms far too small for an adult to occupy, said the government.

Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell said:

“In order to build a country that truly works for everyone, we must ensure that everyone has somewhere safe and secure to live."

“These measures will give councils the powers they need to tackle poor-quality rental homes in their area."

“By driving out rogue landlords that flout the rules out of business, we are raising standards and giving tenants the protection they need.”

Other proposals to help councils raise standard in shared homes include ensuring mandatory licensing rules apply to all shared homes with five or more people from two or more households, as well as flats above and below shops and other business premises.

Current licensing requirements only apply to homes with three or more floors – and exclude homes attached to businesses, unless they are in a three-storey building.

New measures would also require landlords of shared homes to provide decent storage and disposal of rubbish – and the fit and proper person test for landlords would be tightened up, ensuring criminal record checks are carried out to weed out rogue landlords.

Where a landlord fails to obtain a licence, they will be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine.

The measures will complement other government efforts to crack down on rogue landlords who cash in on renting out homes to vulnerable people.

More than £5 million of targeted government funding to 48 councils has already brought a big increase in the number of homes checked over three months – in early 2016, more than 33,000 homes were inspected and nearly 2,800 rogue landlords are now facing prosecution for providing substandard homes, said the government.
Since 2011, the government has also provided £12 million to enable local authorities to carry out more raids, issue more statutory notices and demolishing beds in sheds and other prohibited buildings.

A consultation on the proposed measures – which apply to England only –
has been launched.

In addition, the government is also seeking views on whether the current licensing arrangements for purpose-built student accommodation are appropriate.


Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:

• Debt management for homeowners
• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlords’ obligations
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Lease extensions
• Local Authority housing
• Mortgage repossession
• Notice to quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Right to Buy
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.