A report said that, overall, landlords accepted the objectives of the government's rent restructuring policy, and had commenced implementation.
Source: Analysing the Impact of Rent Restructuring: Informing the 3 year review, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2004-Dec
A new book provided an assessment of the private rented sector. It said that the challenge for the government was to make sure the sector became a tenure of choice.
Source: Peter Kemp, Private Renting in Transition, Chartered Institute of Housing (024 7685 1700)
Links: CIH press release
Date: 2004-Jul
An article presented findings from an exploratory study of the harassment and abuse of older people within the private rented sector. It considered the legal remedies that might be available for tackling some of these problems. Legal remedies were compared with more social policy based approaches which drew upon the framework relating to the protection of vulnerable adults.
Source: Nancy Carlton, Tina Fear and Robin Means, 'Responding to the harassment and abuse of older people in the private rented sector: legal and social perspectives', Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, Volume 26 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2004-Jul
The Northern Ireland Executive published a strategy document setting out proposals to improve conditions in the private rented sector.
Source: Renting Privately: Strategic framework, Department of Social Development/Northern Ireland Executive (028 9056 9216) and Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Links: Report (pdf) | NIHE press release
Date: 2004-May
The government published an experimental new quarterly index of private rental sector rents. A background paper explained the methodology used.
Source: Press release 22 April 2004, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 3000) | Introducing the ODPM Experimental Quarterly Private Rental Index, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: ODPM press release | Index (Excel file) | Background paper (pdf)
Date: 2004-Apr
The results were published of an official survey of private landlords, conducted as part of the 2001 English House Conditions Survey. Landlords preferences were usually for tenants in full-time employment, particularly young professionals . Households on housing benefit were unpopular with landlords, 30 per cent of whom had never let to anyone on housing benefit. Lettings to tenants on housing benefit accounted for only 18 per cent of all lettings, and nearly three-quarters of landlords who had let to tenants on housing benefit would prefer not to.
Source: English House Condition Survey 2001: Private landlords survey, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jan