Government must tackle 'slum' conditions faced by private renters, says major review

The government has been urged to tackle “slum” conditions in England’s private rental sector, as a report warns one in three of the cheapest homes on the market are failing to meet decent standards.

The housing experts behind the major new study said MOT-style tests should be imposed on landlords to make sure their properties are fit for habitation.

Operating in a similar way to cars, homes would have to undergo an annual inspection.

Changes to the welfare system have pushed more and more people into “slum tenure” in the private rented sector, according to the University of York academics who conducted the review.

But their report, released today, reveals poor housing conditions are a problem at both ends of the private rental market in England.

One in three homes in the cheapest 20 per cent of the sector did not meet the government’s Decent Homes Standard.

And one in five properties let in the most expensive 20 per cent of the sector were also considered “non-decent”.

Stock condition was found to be worst in the West Midlands, where 40 per cent of private lets were deemed “non-decent”.

More than 1.3 million homes rented from private landlords failed to meet the national Decent Homes Standard.

Conditions were found to get worse the longer tenants remained in their property, suggesting poor property management rather than old housing stock was the cause of despair.

Julie Rugg, co-author of the report, said a “property MOT” test could be conducted by independent inspectors and would be a tax-deductible business cost for landlords.

“A property MOT would give people confidence before they sign a tenancy that the property is fit for purpose, and that standards won’t lapse in the future, while for landlords, it offers greater clarity and protection against prosecution,” she said.

“We need to see a fundamental rethink of the role that private renting plays in our housing market and a comprehensive strategy to ensure it meets the needs of every renter.”

Dan Wilson Craw, director of the Generation Rent campaign group, said it was still “far too easy” for unscrupulous landlords to collect rent on properties in terrible condition.

“Problems such as mould and excess cold can damage tenants’ physical health while their mental health suffers from the anxiety and stress of dealing with it or trying to move out.

The Evolving Private Rented Sector report, funded by the Nationwide Foundation, also found policy interventions such as Build to Rent are increasingly focused on helping higher and middle-income renters priced out of ownership – with little or no help for those on low incomes.”

Polly Neate, chief executive, Shelter added: “There are clear steps the government can take to improve private renting: longer tenancies, more protections for renters to tackle bad conditions, and helping councils crack down on rogue landlords.”