Letting fees ban will NOT become law until at least Spring 2019

Sajid Javid's newly renamed Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) reveals the ban is some way off.

Evidence disclosed this week to both the Select Committee hearings that scrutinised the draft legislation, MHCLG has revealed that it will be at least 15 months before letting agents and landlords will no longer be able to charge fees to tenants.

Introduced by MP Sajid Javid in November last year, the draft legislation was given a frosty reception by experts during the hearing on Monday and will now go to a third reading in the House of Commons before moving to the Lords.

A letting fee ban could potentially lead to higher rents if banned fees were added to the rent of each tenancy. This could also lead to a reduced quality of rented accommodation if landlords are forced to tighten their purse strings.

Joanne Noonan comments, “This latest news is reassuring for our landlords as it provides much more clarity on the timetable for implementation of the ban.”

She continues, “At the end of the day, we all want a fairer and safer Private Rental Sector for all, but not to its detriment. Further consultation and guidance through our industry representatives such as ARLA should be sought by the government.”