Sean Hooker, head of redress at the Property Redress Scheme, will discuss the latest rental reform proposals and answer letting agents’ questions in a. Live Questions and Answer webinar next week.

Abolishing Section 21 eviction powers and strengthening Section 8 remain core to the government’s proposals but other priorities have shifted since the idea of a Renters Reform Bill was first announced in 2019. 

Recent announcements have included extending the Decent Homes Standard to cover the private rented sector and introducing landlord redress via the establishment of a Private Renters’ Ombudsman. 

The government has also mooted the creation of a “property portal” that will “help landlords understand their obligations, give tenants performance information to hold their landlord to account, and help councils crack down on poor practice.”

Meanwhile lifetime deposits – which had been a mainstay of previous proposals – appear to have fallen off the agenda entirely. 

Hooker says: “Now we have a firm commitment to action, we can get on with the task of making these reforms work. The indications are that the government has listened to the sector and whilst not everything will be welcomed by agents and landlords, or indeed tenants, this agenda looks realistic and achievable. 

“I am looking forward to picking over the bones of the proposals and what I believe they will mean for raising standards in the private rental sector. The good, the bad and the ugly.”

Letting agents can register for the free webinar, organised by Goodlord and taking place on Tuesday May at 10am, here.