You can also keep up with Generation Rent on Twitter or Facebook.Lewisham Council has new plans to tackle negligent landlords and protect tenants from mistreatment.
The council wants to hear from local residents - especially tenants - about these plans, which would mean all landlords in the borough would need a licence to provide homes.
Have your say by 20 August at their consultation page here.
Generation Rent supports landlord licensing because it makes it easier for councils to crack down on landlords who fail to provide safe homes or dodge their responsibilities. Also, by knowing exactly who is renting out property, the authorities can make sure landlords pay their fair share of tax.
Please take a few minutes to complete the council's survey - and let us know when you do.
Thanks,
Generation Rent
http://www.generationrent.org/
Generation Rent · Unit E03 The Biscuit Factory, 100 Clements Road, London SE16 4DG, United Kingdom
I've not read through the proposal, so I don't feel quite ready to respond, but FWIW, I think some kind of licencing system is needed, because local authorities need to know about housing in their area. I'm not anti PRS or landlords at all, so I'd not want a licence fees set at a level designed to discourage landlords renting out properties, or investing in the PRS. Arguments about private renting in this country are far too polarised, with landlords too often demonised, as well, sometimes, as their tenants, who are seen as causing anti-social behaviour. It doesn't have to be like that, but for things to work better, some local government involvement will be needed, and it will need to be funded, which is why a sensible level of licencing is appropriate.