"The cap on holding deposits will bring much-needed clarity for the private rented sector. Excessive fees are a concern for tenants and councils, as they hamper access to the market and put pressures on other tenures, such as social or supported housing."
Responding to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s report on the draft Tenant Fees Bill, Cllr Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s Housing Spokesman, said:
“The cap on holding deposits will bring much-needed clarity for the private rented sector. Excessive fees are a concern for tenants and councils, as they hamper access to the market and put pressures on other tenures, such as social or supported housing.
“If the Government expects local authorities to enforce the cap, it’s vital that it provides the resources and funding that will be needed in order to make such enforcement successful. It is therefore positive that the committee has backed the LGA’s call for more funding for local authorities for enforcement as well as a national information campaign to make tenants aware of the new rules.
“A thriving private rented sector contributes to a balanced mix of affordable housing in communities, and we know that with the right measures, that can be delivered – but only if councils are adequately resourced to ensure their residents are fully protected.”