Landlords must get to grips with mould under proposed new tenancy law

Tenants may soon have the right to sue landlords who let properties that aren’t fit for human habitation. That makes it more important than ever that landlords inspect properties regularly, fix defects, and keep accurate records, says Emma Lunn

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A new law will mean tenants can hold Rigsby to account for shoddy housing
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 1977 Shutterstock. No use without permission.)

Tenants may soon have the right to sue landlords who let properties that aren't "fit for human habitation". The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill, put forward by MP Karen Buck, has passed its second reading in Parliament. The Bill has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee for consultation and must go through several more stages before becoming law but since it now enjoys government backing, this seems likely to happen in due course.

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Emma Lunn

Emma Lunn is a multi-award-winning journalist who specialises in personal finance and consumer issues. With more than 18 years’ experience in personal finance, Emma has covered topics including mortgages, first-time buyers, leasehold, banking, debt, budgeting, broadband, energy, pensions and investments. Emma’s one of the most prolific freelance personal finance journalists with a back catalogue of work in newspapers such as The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, the Mail on Sunday and the Mirror. As a freelancer she has also completed various in-house contracts at The Guardian, The Independent, Mortgage Solutions, Orange and Moneywise. 

She also writes regularly for specialist magazines and websites such as Property Hub, Mortgage Strategy and YourMoney.com. She’s particularly proud of her work writing about the leasehold sector and a Guardian front-page story about a dodgy landlord. She has a real passion for helping people learn about money – especially when many people are struggling to get by in today’s challenging economic climate – and prides herself on simplifying complex subjects.