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Renters Reform Bill will give landlords more powers

Landlords will be given greater powers to evict rowdy tenants and Airbnbs will forced to register on a new database under government plans.

The proposals form part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour, which will also give councils new powers to take control of empty shops and buildings and sell off the rental rights.

A new taskforce to tackle antisocial behaviour will be jointly led by leveling up secretary Michael Gove and prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Under the plans all new private tenancy agreements will include clauses that specifically ban antisocial behaviour. The notice period for eviction on these grounds will be cut from four to two weeks.

Grounds for eviction will include “persistently problematic tenants” who cause disturbance through noise, drunken behaviour, drug use and damage to property, as well as falling behind on rent.

The government will make it easier for landlords to prove antisocial behaviour in court by clarifying that any behaviour “capable” of causing “nuisance or annoyance” can lead to eviction. Eviction cases will also be prioritised by courts.

The changes will be contained in a Renters Reform Bill, which has been on the government’s agenda since 2019. It had been previously touted by ministers as offering extra protections for tenants, including a ban on no-fault evictions and on landlords raising rent more than once a year.

To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews

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