Rethink

What is Rethink Housing?

Fairness, understanding and practical action in housing

I have never believed that good housing management is about automatically taking the side of the landlord or the tenant. It is about understanding what has happened, establishing the facts and working out what needs to happen next.

That principle has followed me throughout my career.

I started Digital Inventory in 2001 because I could see how easily disagreements over property condition and deposit deductions became unfair when the evidence simply was not good enough. More than two decades later, the same principle sits behind The Housing Inspector and Rethink Housing: good evidence, clear communication and early action can prevent an enormous amount of conflict.

My job is to look at the whole picture.

Rethink means being prepared to listen to everyone involved without losing sight of responsibility.

I support stronger protection for tenants. I also believe we have to listen to good landlords and understand what makes them confident enough to continue providing homes.

When either side is struggling, simply allowing a problem to escalate rarely helps anyone.

The rental sector has now changed significantly with the Renters’ Rights Act. Tenant protections have strengthened and Section 21 has gone from the private rented sector, making good tenancy management, clear evidence and early intervention more important than ever.

I support stronger protection for tenants.

I also believe we have to listen to good landlords and understand what makes them confident enough to continue providing homes.

Those two positions do not have to compete with one another.

For me, better housing comes from bringing people together earlier, identifying what is actually wrong and dealing with it properly.

That might mean resolving disrepair, improving communication, helping sustain a tenancy, challenging poor practice, coordinating contractors or simply explaining clearly what each person needs to do next;

– Look at the whole situation

– Listen properly

– Establish the facts

– Take practical action

Anne Marie Taylor

The Housing Inspector

Need help with a housing problem?

Whether you need straightforward advice, ongoing property management or help resolving a complex housing issue, tell us what is happening. We will look at the situation, identify the practical next steps and explain how The Housing Inspector can help.