Private Landlords need protection from anti-social tenants thrown out of social housing
The Government's announcement that it is to introduce tougher action against anti-social tenants in social housing has raised fears that they will simply move into the private rented sector (PRS).
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) says private landlords could unknowingly take on tenants kicked out of social housing because of anti-social behaviour.
The organisation claims private landlords will not have the same degree of control over tenant behaviour and don't always have the means to check tenant records because of data protection measures.
RLA Chairman, Alan Ward said: "The RLA strongly supports efforts to combat anti-social behaviour by tenants who blight communities across the country.
"However, by addressing the behaviour of tenants in the social rented sector alone, such tenants will simply find themselves with no alternatives but to seek private rented accommodation. Data Protection laws make it difficult for landlords to properly reference the behaviour of new tenants.
"The Government is once again looking to the PRS to meet the UK's housing needs. What landlords require is a reformed court system that enables a quicker, more effective response to tenants causing anti-social behaviour, without the current delays of up to eight months to regain possession.
"Anti-social tenants affect both the private and social rented sector and the RLA is writing to Housing Minister, Grant Shapps MP, to outline its concerns and calling on the Government to work with the sector to combat anti-social behaviour in all its forms."



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