Former Labour housing minister John Healey introduced a private members bill at the beginning of July to demand the licensing of letting agents and a ban on "rip-off fees" for renters. He proposes a legal right to a written tenancy agreement a ban on agency charges beyond a deposit and rent in advance, a redress scheme, mandatory national licensing for all agents and strong enforcement powers for councils with new powers to set up their own local letting agencies. As more and more people are living in private-rented accommodation, the Wentworth and Dearne MP explains why his bill is "unfinished business".
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