Private Rented Sector To Be Focus Of Review

News Story :: 2008-01-28 13:10:10

A MAJOR REVIEW TO IMPROVE THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR WAS ANNOUNCED BY HOUSING AND PLANNING MINISTER YVETTE COOPER ON 23 January. The review will look at how the increasing number of buy to let accommodation and student tenants has impacted on the private rented sector, the quality of homes and who the users of the sector are. It will also examine the impact of demo-graphic and social change on the future demand and supply in the sector. The terms of reference of the review include the questions: ‘What are the tenant and landlord views and experiences of the sector? What are their priorities for change and how can these contribute to policy development?' For many of us, the important question to be asked is: ‘What impact is the buy-to-let market having on our neighbourhoods, and what’s Government going to do to ensure that we all have … ‘the opportunity of a decent home at a price they can afford, in sustainable communities where they want to live and work.’ [quoted from ‘Communities and Local Government website: Housing Strategies and Reviews January 2008]