Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018,
landlords of both social and privately rented properties must make
sure that their properties meet certain standards at the beginning
and throughout a tenancy. If they fail to do this, tenants have the
right to take legal action.
First introduced as a Private Members' Bill by Karen Buck MP,
the Bill received support from the Government in its passage
through Parliament and received Royal Assent on 20 December
2018.
The Act ensures:
- 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 a landlord fails to do so, the tenant has the right to
take legal action in the courts for breach of contract on the
grounds that the property is unfit for human habitation.
The Government also consulted on proposals for "Strengthening consumer redress in the housing
market" in February 2018 looking at how to make seeking
redress clearer and simpler for consumers.
That consultation has now closed but the Government have still
not yet published their response to that consultation but are
expected to publish their response and further proposals early in
the New Year. Watch out for further details in future ARCH
Bulletins.