Renting Homes, Final Report : Cm. 6781

This report sets out some recommendations to improve the regulatory framework that applies to the rented housing sector.

Almost a third of the population rent their homes, and the Law Commission states that an active well-run rental market needs to: provide choice for those who want to rent; meet social need by providing housing for those who cannot afford to buy; increase the flexibility in the accommodation and labour markets by enabling people to move quickly to take up job opportunities or explore new housing options.

The Commission puts forward two radical changes to the legislative approach in the rented housing sector, with the recommendations themselves encapsulated in the Rented Homes Bill (see Vol. 2 Draft Bill). The key recommendations are: The creation of a single social tenure - At present local authorities only let on secure tenancies; registered social landlords on assured tenancies.

This distinction should be replaced, so the landlord is neutral, and landlords become, in what the Bill defines, "community landlords". This should offer an increased flexibility both to policy makers and landlords in the provision and management of social housing; and, the adoption of a new consumer approach, which gives greater focus on the contract between the landlord and occupier, incorporating consumer protection principles of fairness and transparency.

This should ensure that both landlords and occupiers have a much clearer understanding of their rights and obligations.

Volume I is divided into II parts with 2 appendices.

The parts cover the following areas: introduction; the scheme in outline; occupation contracts; termination of occupation contracts; powers of the court; dealing; survivorship, succession and related matters; prohibited conduct and anti-social behaviour; supported housing; other rights and obligations.

Other relevant publications on this subject include ("LCCP 162" - ISBN 0117302473; "LCCP 168" - ISBN 011730254; "Cm.6018" - ISBN 0101601824).