The Labour Party (if they win the election on Thursday 4th July) appears to be considering revising the school curriculum and one thing I would like them to consider is basic legal education in schools.
Why basic law should be taught in schools
Everyone is assumed to know the law, and in most cases ignorance of the law is not an acceptable defense, but in reality, many people have only a vague understanding of our legal system and how it works.
Therefore, our education system should help people understand the legal system and prepare them for life.
for example:
The difference between civil law and criminal law The difference between case law and statutory law Types of courts and tribunals and their jobs Various legal jobs (lawyers, barristers, court clerks, etc.)
Why housing law matters to young people
In particular, we ask that at the very least training be provided on housing law and tenants’ rights.
Most children cannot afford to buy their own homes when they grow up, so they end up living with their parents or renting. Students who leave home to go to college also often end up living in rented accommodation.
However, renting comes with many rights and obligations that many tenants are unaware of.
At a minimum, residents should be vaguely aware of the following:
Types of leases; A landlord's obligations in relation to a tenant's deposit; Restrictions on a landlord's right to increase rent; A landlord's obligation to keep the property in repair; The various certificates that tenants must obtain and submit (gas safety, EPC, electrical etc); A brief guidance on the types of leases and the clauses they contain; The rules regarding eviction and reinstatement of possession.
It may also be helpful to understand the following:
Data protection regulations Rules about keeping pets in rented properties Landlords' obligations towards disabled tenants The role of estate agents and what they do, and how they are regulated Local authority obligations towards landlords and tenants
There are no doubt other issues I've missed.
And finally
I remember when my son was in school he had to study the history of surgery as part of his history class, we both thought it was a bit strange and so my son lost interest in history for a long time.
It would be much more useful to learn about housing laws that directly affect many young people leaving school.
If there are any schools or teachers reading this who need a little support in developing an educational course like the one above, we would be happy to help.