CIEH welcomes Royal Assent for Renters’ Rights Bill

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed Royal Assent for the Renters’ Rights Bill but is urging the Government to move faster on tackling poor housing conditions.

CIEH welcomes the proposed application of a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector but is concerned that the Government is not proposing to bring the new standard into force until 2035 or 2037. The organisation is calling for the standard to be implemented as soon as possible so that improvements in housing quality are delivered without unnecessary delay.

CIEH also says the various housing standards should be consolidated to provide clarity for landlords, tenants and local authorities.

CIEH emphasises that neither the Decent Homes Standard nor Awaab’s Law will remove the need for local authorities to be able to use licence conditions to deal proactively with general disrepair in areas with poor housing conditions. The organisation is calling for a change in the Housing Act 2004 that would enable local authorities operating selective licensing schemes to use licence conditions to improve the physical state of the licensed properties.

CIEH welcomes the proposed new private rented sector database and is calling for it to be used as a tool to support the use of licensing schemes by local authorities.

The organisation is also calling for sustained funding for enforcement of the provisions of the new Act. The Government claims additional burdens on local authorities that result from the reforms in the Act will be fully funded. CIEH is highlighting that this funding must be sustained and predictable and must permit local authorities to attract new staff and fund their training.

Further information about the views of CIEH on the Renters’ Rights Act can be found here. The organisation’s response to the recent government consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes can be found here.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

“This Renters’ Rights Act is a step in the right direction but needs to be accompanied by better resourcing for local authority housing enforcement teams.

“Environmental health practitioners play a crucial role in tackling poor housing conditions through formal and informal enforcement of legislation. Their work reduces ill health and saves lives.”