Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, has written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities articulating the concerns of a coalition within the housing sector regarding tenant abandonment in rental properties.

Following the initial reading of the Renters (Reform) Bill in May 2023, Propertymark has raised reservations regarding specific aspects lacking clarity. Of particular focus is the matter of tenancy abandonment, prompting the coalition to advocate for more stringent safeguards for landlords. The coalition cites several challenges that stem from properties being abandoned.

These challenges encompass escalated overheads for landlords, including increased insurance costs and challenges in safeguarding tenant belongings. Furthermore, unoccupied properties are susceptible to anti-social activities and vandalism. Current legal provisions grant tenants the right to return to a property at any point, effectively impeding landlords from reletting or occupying the premises.

In response, Propertymark proposes that the UK Government examine provisions akin to those outlined in the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. This legislation stipulates that landlords must endeavor to establish contact with absent tenants for a duration of one month. Following this period, landlords can consider terminating the tenancy if there is reasonable belief that the property has been abandoned. This approach acknowledges the practicality that landlords are unlikely to seek possession of a property unless reasonably assured of its abandonment.

Alternatively, the coalition's letter suggests activating provisions related to abandonment as delineated in Part 3 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. Despite their current lack of enforcement, these measures would facilitate the process by which private landlords can regain possession of abandoned residential properties.

The overarching objective of advocating for more robust regulations is twofold: to facilitate the release of properties caught in a state of uncertainty and thereby augment the availability of rental homes, while also mitigating the associated risks linked with vacant properties. This initiative seeks to provide a heightened sense of security for landlords in the intricate landscape of rental property management.