Poor planning for how the Pubs Code Adjudicator will investigate Pubs Code breaches has led to campaigners claiming that the code is still not ready.
Despite the Pubs Code coming into force on the 21st of July, after substantial delays, there still seem to be considerable teething problems with its implementation. A central feature of the new legislation is the fact the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) must investigate any disputes or breaches of the code, particularly when it comes to tied Pubco tenants.
However, an analysis into how breaches of the code would be investigated was only published last week. This has led the Pubs Advisory Service to claim that it shows a ‘lack of urgency’ from the Government. This comes after pubcos were found to have already carried out systematic breaches of the code which have been hard to deal with without a proper procedure in place.
These breaches have mainly been in the form of licensees being withheld information in rent proposals after requesting rent reviews. This is in complete breach of the strict time constraints placed on tenants to comply with MRO procedure. With no procedure in place to respond to, and deal with, breaches in the code is the code still fit for purpose?
For more information on what the Pubs Code means for you check out our blog post.
Tenants can find more information on the government’s website here. Tenants can also find out more information via an enquiry line 0800 528 8080.
