This Act came in to force on 13 May 2016. It aims to stop unsatisfactory practices and criminal activity using the following:
- Rent Repayment Orders
- Database of Rogue Landlords and Letting Agents
- Banning Orders. Prevents a person from letting a property
- Recovering Abandoned Property. Allows landlords to recover abandoned properties without going to court.
- Electrical Safety Standards. Ensure safety standards are met.
- Houses in Multiple Occupation. Checks carried out to ensure the applicant is legally resident in this country.
- Tenancy Deposit Schemes. Deposits must be placed in one of the government approved tenancy deposit scheme.
- Client Money Protection. Landlords and tenants get their money back if an agent gets in to financial difficulties.
- Neighbourhood Planning. Simplifies the neighbourhood planning process to support communities. An example of this is the Article 4 provision in Falmouth.
- Civil Penalties. Penalties of up to £30,000 issued as an alternative to prosecution.