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Manchester to tighten regulation on growing private rented sector
Manchester City Council is developing a new strategy to improve standards in the city’s growing private rented sector, including proposals to introduce landlord licensing in some areas and a plan to acquire and build more homes for affordable rent.
The Private Sector Rented Strategy 2020-2025 will take steps to improve property and management standards, increase opportunities for low-income households and improve awareness of best practice across the sector.
These areas of focus were based on a previous consultation with landlords and tenants last year, the local authority said.
The private rented sector in Manchester doubled in size between 2005 and 2015 and is now the largest tenure type in the city – accounting for 38% of all homes.
But the council has noted concerns around the standards of properties and the approach of some landlords towards poorer residents.
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Potential measures under the new strategy include identifying more areas for selective landlord licensing, investing in acquiring and building more homes for affordable rent, and supporting improved communications between landlords and residents.
The local authority also said the strategy will work to address the growing short-term lettings sector – including Airbnb rentals – by working with the Short Term Accommodation Association to develop a best practice charter, and to take action where customers fail to respect the neighbourhoods they are staying in.
Manchester Council said that alongside the new strategy it will carry out a stock condition survey of both private rented and owner-occupied properties across the city to identify the cost of retrofitting homes in order to improve energy efficiency. The survey will be completed by April 2021.
Suzanne Richards, executive member for housing and regeneration at Manchester Council, said: “Large parts of the private rented sector work well and deliver good-quality housing that meets the needs of Manchester residents.
"We are doing more to ensure tenants know their rights and supporting landlords to understand and meet their responsibilities.”
