The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill has passed the final review stage in the House of Lords and should shortly receive Royal Assent.
The Act will require all rented homes to be ‘fit for human habitation’ at the start of the tenancy and to remain so throughout. In working out whether a house is ‘unfit’, the Bill includes the hazards set out in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
Issues such as mould and condensation caused by design defects may now amount to breaches of the tenancy agreement (as structural damp does under current law). It will also make enforcement of infestation problems easier and may apply to fire hazards in some circumstances as well.
This will greatly empower tenants, will not affect decent landlords and will hopefully be a force towards an improvement in housing conditions generally.
This is a back benchers private members bill. Karen Buck MP has been trying to get this legislation passed for several years now and has worked at this tirelessly.
If you have been affected by any of the issues connected with this bill and would like some advice please don't hesitate to contact our expert in this area Jon Lynn.
