A date has been set for the next stage of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill, which is being promoted as a Private Members’ Bill by Labour backbencher Karen Buck but which has government support and is likely to become law. 

The Bill’s Report stage in the House of Commons is now scheduled for October 26. 

The Bill seeks to amend the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and if it becomes law it will ensure:

– that all landlords (both social and private sector) must ensure that their property is fit for human habitation at the beginning of the tenancy and throughout and;

– where this is not done, the tenant will have the right to take legal action in the courts for breach of contract on the grounds that the property is unfit for human habitation.

ARLA supports the measure and says: “It will give renters greater protection against criminal operators, is a step in the right direction for the market, and as Karen Buck MP said, we look forward to working with her to achieve better enforcement against those who bring the sector into disrepute.”