The Department’s forthcoming White Paper offers an opportunity for significant improvement to the private rented sector. In the past ten years, the Department has made several positive legislative changes in the private rented sector, such as providing tenants with protection from eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic and banning unnecessary charges through the Tenant Fees Act and deposit protection schemes. However, these changes have been piecemeal, and the Department does not have a good u...

The Department’s forthcoming White Paper offers an opportunity for significant improvement to the private rented sector. In the past ten years, the Department has made several positive legislative changes in the private rented sector, such as providing tenants with protection from eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic and banning unnecessary charges through the Tenant Fees Act and deposit protection schemes. However, these changes have been piecemeal, and the Department does not have a good understanding of what impact they have had on renters, on landlords or on wider issues such as the supply or affordability of rented homes. The Department Type: conclusion | Number: 6 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2023 6.2 The government recognises the importance of developing a coherent approach to PRS reforms. The role of PRS has changed in recent decades, as the sector has doubl