There is currently a proposed bill by Sarah Teacher in an aim to prevent landlords from evicting tenants who have made complaints about the state of their accommodation. It seems some landlords would rather proceed with a tenant eviction and re-market the property in its current state to new tenants.
In it’s infancy the bill will aim to prevent landlords from serving a section 21 notice in the following situations:
- on a tenant within 6 months of the service of an improvement notice, or any hazard or emergency remedial actions under Housing Act 2004
- on a tenant with 6 months of a “relevant complaint”, which is a notification in writing of any defect giving rise to the repairing duty under s.11 of the LTA 1985. If premisses are prejudicial to health, except those as a result of tenant neglect. How would this work if a letting agent was managing the property?
- in the absence of a current gas safety or energy performance certificate.
- it will be a defense to claim possession if a tenant ca show that the section was served with a relevant period.
- in the exception where a gas safety or energy performance certificate is absent, a landlord may recover possession where they have entered into a binding contact for sale of the property before a court hearing!
What are your thought on this bill?