We have known it was coming for some time but the news that laws governing landlords are nearly upon us.
These laws, which are designed to provide a better service for council tenants, will come into effect in April 2010. They are apparently supposed to make sure that the landlord gives the tenant more rights over the management of their homes, keeps maintenance to a pre-arranged schedule and, quite bizarrely in my opinion, does more to tackle anti-social behavior.
I will have to investigate further exactly what this means but on the face of it landlords being responsible in any way for anti-social behavior sounds like nonsense. I could have sworn that is what the police were for and that the government we elected should be responsible for making sure it is done.
Apparently, the Government has appointed the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) to keep check on the new laws. Peter Marsh, Chief Executive of the TSA, said:
“We welcome the Government today confirming that our powers will be extended and the standards we’re developing for landlords will apply to local authorities as well as housing associations from April next year.”
This seems very handy for the government and does smack a little of a huge washing of hands. I may stand corrected once I have learned a little more about it. I will keep you up to date on this one.
