New measures are to give private-sector tenants in Newham better protection from unscrupulous landlords.  This is the result of a lengthy Government consultation and determined campaigning from Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham.

Newham council is to be given new powers to manage the unplanned spread of shared houses in the Borough.  The spread of shared houses (often called Houses of Multiple Occupancy or HMOs) are widely thought to be linked to a rise in anti-social behaviour.  Individuals and families can cause noise nuisance and disturbance because, particularly in better weather, they are forced to live out their daily routines in gardens and on streets as they are crammed into often too-small houses.  Fly-tipping by unscrupulous landlords emptying their vacant properties onto the street also has a damaging impact on our communities.

Much of Newham’s housing is two storeys and was not covered by the previous licensing scheme, leaving many tenants living in unsafe and sub-standard properties.  Licensing of properties in multiple occupation will now be extended to cover properties with two storeys which are occupied by four or more people.  Lyn has championed this change in the law, fighting for it both on the floor of the House and in the committee stages of the Housing Act.

 Newham council will now also be able to introduce licensing schemes for landlords who do not maintain or manage their properties properly.  This should result in improved standards for tenants and enable the council to prosecute the worst of the offending landlords.  The Government will also be introducing a National Landlords Register to give tenants even greater protection and support.

 Lyn Brown MP argued strongly for these changes when she was a member of the committee examining the Housing and Regeneration Bill which became law in July 2008.  This law aims to reform social housing and provide 3 million new homes by 2020.

And even more protection for tenants is in the pipeline.  Lyn was in Parliament again last week supporting increased protection for tenants who face eviction from their homes if their landlord is facing repossession.

Tenants currently have very little protection if their landlord is repossessed.  They could be evicted at a few hours notice even if they have kept up with their rental payments.  When landlords get behind with their payments, they often do not tell their lender that they are renting out the property so the tenants will be unaware of any repossession order until the bailiffs arrive.
 
The Mortgage Repossessions Bill will give the courts the power to delay any repossession for up to two months, giving tenants time to seek alternative accommodation rather than leaving them homeless.

 Lyn Brown MP said,

“Both of these measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to raising the standard of the private rented accommodation for everyone in our community.  I am particularly pleased that two storey properties will now be covered by compulsory licensing as this is something I argued very strongly for in Committee.   These measures will serve to protect residents and will enable Newham council to prosecute landlords that flouted the rules.  I will continue to campaign whenever I can to ensure that Newham residents get the homes and communities they deserve.
 
Tenants are the often-forgotten victims of repossession.  The proposed change in law will protect them from losing their home through no fault of their own.  This legislation is a vital addition to the action Government is already taking to protect people from the consequences of the recession.

 Repossessions are at nearly half the rate of the last recession and this is thanks to the real, positive action the Government has taken to help people stay in their homes.   As well as supporting tenants, the Government has invested in advice and support for homeowners to help them keep their homes.”