Code of conduct for landlords

macaque_2

I recently heard that the government is drawing up a new code of conduct for landlords. Does anyon have any details of this?

Much as I am against regulations, this is an area screaming out for it. There are good landlords out there (I have one of them), but there are also many who have no ethics and are completely ignorant of good business practice. We need heavy fines to sort out the bad ones and, given the havoc that an irrisponsible landlord can have on one's life, some aspects of their conduct should be covered by the criminal law.

sooz

I haven't heard any specifics, but I think it's along the lines of the codes of conduct you agree to if you voluntarily sign up to a landlords' association.

bobby-boy_2

Dundee City council has an accreditation scheme for its private landlords and they have a handbook for tenants. You could look up the link on the Internet and get an idea of responsabilities on both sides ie Landlord and tenant

tbs624

macaque wrote: »

I recently heard that the government is drawing up a new code of conduct for landlords. Does anyon have any details of this?

Much as I am against regulations, this is an area screaming out for it. There are good landlords out there (I have one of them), but there are also many who have no ethics and are completely ignorant of good business practice. We need heavy fines to sort out the bad ones and, given the havoc that an irrisponsible landlord can have on one's life, some aspects of their conduct should be covered by the criminal law.

Yvette Cooper, the Minister for Housing and Planning recently made a statement about Government policy on commercial leases and the launch of a new property industry Code of Practice for Leasing Business Premises, but I haven't seen anything further about one for residential premises.

Many LLs are of course already signed up to their local one - certainly if you are letting to students it is generally a requirement on the University Accomms Office before they will allow you to register with them, and as another poster has said if you join a local LL association you will usually be asked to abide by the Code of Conduct.

And just for reference, there are already elements of the criminal law that apply to LLs acts and omissions with regard to their tenants.

In the interest of balance, the most useful Code would be one that applied to both parties, because just as there are good and bad LLs, there are good and bad tenants, some of whom know how to “play the system”.

The most important thing the Govt could do would be to address the LAs fee-charging for spurious admin work on a new/repeat tenancy

Sisyphus

In France and possibly in Germany too, tenants have security of tenure for the first 3 years (provided they pay the rent). This would ensure landlords really are in it for the long term. It might become necessary here as many young families are priced out of buying.

Gingernutmeg

tbs624 wrote: »

The most important thing the Govt could do would be to address the LAs fee-charging for spurious admin work on a new/repeat tenancy

Oh, I so agree with that. Our LA refuse to allow LLs to issue anything other than a six month tenancy - they say it's not prudent for the LLs to have long contracts in case they 'want us out'. This means that every six months we have to pay £150 per person (there's two of us) for new contracts ... can't really see how it's prudent for LAs to annoy tenants so much that they leave ...

Sammy85_2

Its not only the fees the LA's charge Tenants that are bad!

As LL's we have to pay £150 each time a new tenant takes up one of our properties, plus the 11.5% monthly management fee (for something we arent getting - ref. last post!) and if we want to keep on a tenant but end it with the agent its a months rent as a finders fee! You would think the money they make each month and the charges the tenants pays would be enough, but not for a greedy LA!!

TJ27

macaque wrote: »

We need heavy fines to sort out the bad ones and, given the havoc that an irrisponsible landlord can have on one's life, some aspects of their conduct should be covered by the criminal law.

I think you'll find that many aspects of everybodys conduct has been covered by the criminal law for several centuries. Landlords already have a whole raft of specific legislation which relates to their business. Non compliance with these criminal laws carries fines of up to twenty grand in some cases and many STILL ignore it. What would you call a heavy fine?

Gorgeous_George

I like the idea of a code of conduct for landlords.

I also like the idea of a code of conduct for tenants.

Why not just have a code of conduct for inhabitants of the British Isles?

I don't need one to know right from wrong but I am happy to sign up if it makes others know that I am good at what I do.

GG

clutton_2

landlords already have to comply with 69 different acts of parliament - what more do you want ????????

it is only a small percentage of landlords that are bad - lets not forget that.....

chappers

Sisyphus wrote: »

In France and possibly in Germany too, tenants have security of tenure for the first 3 years (provided they pay the rent). This would ensure landlords really are in it for the long term. It might become necessary here as many young families are priced out of buying.

I believe it's even longer in Spain.