Researchers in Scotland drew on a survey of local authorities, interviews with landlords and letting agents, and focus groups with tenants living in the private rented sector, to provide a picture of how the sector operates. They found that the sector plays an important role in providing accommodation to a wide range of groups, including lower-income people, young people, vulnerable people, students, mobile workers and newly formed households.
Source: Donald Houston, Kieran Barr and Jo Dean, Research on the Private Rented Sector in Scotland, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Summary (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
The government began consultation on whether the resolution of disputes between private landlords and their tenants over tenancy deposits should be the subject of statutory regulation.
Source: Tenancy Money: Probity and Protection, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation document | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 4.6
Date: 2002-Nov
A new book explored the reasons for the significant growth in the private rented sector during the 1990s, and looked at the consequences for tenants and landlords, as well as the wider implications for housing policy.
Source: Stuart Lowe and David Hughes (eds.), The Private Rented Sector in a New Century: Revival or False Dawn?, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
A research report provided a comprehensive analysis of the private rented housing sector in Northern Ireland.
Source: The Private Rented Sector in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Housing Executive (02890 318540)
Links: NIHE Homepage
Date: 2002-Jun
A report summarised the findings of an independent inquiry into measures to improve the quality and quantity of private rented accommodation.
Sources: Private Renting: A New Settlement, Shelter (020 7505 2000)
Links: Summary | JRF Findings 562
Date: 2002-May
A Bill to introduce 'commonhold,' as a solution to the problems of long leasehold on property, received Royal Assent.
Source: Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Act
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 4.5)
Date: 2002-May