Dorset councillors confident new tenant reforms will improve living standards
Dorset Council has welcomed new legislation designed to strengthen rights for private tenants
New rights for private renters have been broadly welcomed in Dorset, with councillors saying the changes could transform housing standards.
At Dorset Council, members described the legislation as a long-overdue shift in power towards tenants, particularly in areas with high concentrations of privately rented housing.
Jon Orrell, who represents Melcombe Regis, said his ward alone contains around 1,050 private lets in houses of multiple occupation, many within older Victorian properties.
“While the vast majority of landlords are good and responsible, there are a substantial minority who are not,” he said. “Some of the housing standards in my ward are not great and can cause adverse health impacts.”
He added that tenants have often been reluctant to raise concerns due to the risk of eviction, a situation he believes the new laws will begin to address.
Fellow councillor Gill Taylor said the reforms would, for the first time, allow councils to take a more proactive approach.
New powers will enable authorities to impose stronger penalties on non-compliant landlords and introduce a national register of private rentals.
“This will act as a strong deterrent against poor practices and will drive up standards,” she said, adding that it could also help prevent homelessness and reduce pressure on social services.
However, concerns remain about how the changes will be implemented. Richard Biggs warned the reforms could place additional strain on already stretched council resources, describing the shift as “a brave new world”.
Councillors were told there are at least 27,000 privately rented properties across Dorset, with many landlords currently unknown to the authority.
But Carole Jones called for balance, arguing that tenants in social housing should also be held accountable where properties are left damaged or rent unpaid.