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<p> </p><p>The Government is committed to a better private rented sector that offers
security, stability and decency. We are already changing the law to require all letting
agents to join Government approved redress schemes which will allow tenants to seek
compensation where they are the victims of bad practice, such as being charged hidden
fees.</p><p>To encourage greater understanding of tenants' rights, we will shortly
publish a new <em>How to Rent</em> guide for tenants. We are also developing a model
tenancy agreement to help tenants achieve greater security of tenure when needed,
and a code of practice on property management.</p><p>The Government has provided £6.7
million to a number of local authorities to help them tackle rogue landlord activity.</p><p>We
are also encouraging local authorities to use their existing powers to improve standards.
They already have wide powers to tackle rogue landlord activity and poor property
conditions and to encourage their use.</p><p>Through the Legal Aid, Sentencing and
Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 the current £5,000 cap on fines for certain housing
and planning offences will be removed and rogue landlords will be liable to potentially
unlimited fines. Where the fine is currently capped at less than £5,000, the maximum
fine will be quadrupled</p><p>Finally, we published a discussion document on 24 February,
inviting views on how property conditions in the private rented sector could be improved.
Closing date for comments was 28 March. We are now considering the proposals we have
received. We will announce the outcome of our review in the summer.</p><p> </p>
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