Here is the Government response to a report by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee on Reforming the Private Rented Sector published on 20^th Oct 2023 Reforming the Private Rented Sector: Government’s response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2022-23 - Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee (parliament.uk)

The highlight of that report is that the Government have responded by

• Scrapping proposals to require landlords to meet EPC C from 2025 in their private rented properties: As announced by the Prime Minister in September, they will not be taking forward proposals to force private landlords or homeowners to upgrade homes to EPC C. Landlords can still take advantage of the many government-backed schemes available to improve energy efficiency but at a time that suits them.
• Speeding up the courts process so landlords can quickly regain possession of their property if a tenant refuses to move out. They will align the abolition of section 21 and new possession grounds with court improvements, including end-to-end digitisation of the process. They will continue their work with the judiciary to explore the prioritisation of certain cases, including anti-social behaviour.
• Protecting the student market. They recognise that the student market is cyclical and that landlords must be able to guarantee possession each year for a new set of tenants, and so will introduce a new ground for possession to facilitate this.

DASH will be hosting an online information on Thursday 23^rd November 2023 (10.30am – 11.30am) to unpack all of the Government’s responses to the Select Committee recommendations – To book a place please email jack.taylor@derby.gov.uk