Campaigners call for rent controls, open-ended tenancies and ‘fair’ four-month notice periods

I hope all the criminals i.e. Shelter, the government, housing associations and councils are all forced to do the job they're paid to do and start housing people like they're supposed to do. Instead, they've made, and are still making, stupid, unfair and impossible laws for PRS landlords, who have bad tenants, to quickly get the scum out even though we are complying with the law. The law has turned ugly and toxic to the PRS, and we need a level-headed, sensible organisation to step in and start beating the above criminals about the heads because of their bulls...t and unfair rules. I think they all need to grow up and get some training in the PRS sector of what it really needs cos this lot of criminals are just that, criminals and not specialists in the housing market.

Reply to the comment left by TheBiggerPicture at 09/10/2023 - 11:14
the key word for me is partnerships. i believe most tenants and landlords want similar things a long term safe and comfortable and affordable home. that is what a vast majority of landlords provide and also a vast majority of tenant get.
there is a contract ( albeit for 2 mths notice or 4 months, there is a legally binding contract) which both sides agree the terms and sign.
nobody is forcing a new tenant to rent a property but supply and demand is a factor.
i think the idea of a sensible minimum energy policy is a positive but can only one set of rules be fair and fit for purpose? the UK housing stock is quite old with many houses not having cavity walls, or a gas supply to the house, etc. so stating there will be a blanket minimum of C, irrespective of could this realistically be achieved, suggests that person is out of touch with reality.
if only being a landlord were that simple !

being a politician . we the voter are given a choice as to who we would like to represent us in our constituency. be it local elections or national elections. we dont have to vote. we know there is a maximum period of time before we are given the opportunity to vote again for manifestos which might change. if councilors or MP's fail to perform we have the opportunity to remove them - at no personal cost. we dont personally sign a contract ( which tenants must sign) so why do landlords have less powers re managing their own assets.
it does concern me that the comments the Labour party are making re what they are going to change re the PRS, ( buying votes comes to mind) without actually understanding the probable long term consequences is a concern to tenants more than landlords.

Has usual the loonies intense campaign group shout from the rafters the usual nonesense, tent controls only increase rents ask Scottish tenants, not allowing repression causes early removal of tenants and the inevitable reduction of property to rent which increases rent , why won't they learn.

They are barking up the wrong tree.
Many people need PRS landlords.
Many PRS landlords don't need to be landlords, particularly when all and sundry make unreasonable and financially nonsensical demands upon us. We can sell up, and all the demands in the world will fall on stony ground when there are no properties available to be rented. Then where are all your demands? Got a Plan B? Thought not.
Many of these provisions should be aimed only at Social LLs; PRS LLs should not be required as substitute providers for the ailing social sector.
Here's a revolutionary idea - stop all the PRS vilification and maybe try another tactic - work with us to work out sensible selections that work for everyone.
Will it happen? Unlikely - not such as good a soundbite as all their campaigning rhetoric. However, try this simple principle - asking nicely usually yields far better results....

Teesider wrote
" I think further rent controls could be introduced that limit any increase to RPI + 3%."

There is a massive downside to this. At present many landlords will delay rent increases for compassionate reasons for long term tenants

But once rent controls are introduced Landlords feel obligated to increase by the maximum allowed each year as their scope for a later catchup to market values is seriously limited so they can't afford not to ask the maximum!

Also either their is considerable evidence that controls make landlords nervous and this drive rent inflation before and after any period of mandatory control as landlords seek to have a "buffer" to manage the risk they can't increase rent when they need to

It seems to make sense to those who don't really understand the rental sector by often this sort of well intentioned meddling actually creates rising homelessness and higher rents!

I don’t think this goes far enough. Landlords should also gift the tenant the property and any spare cash they have after a two year period. Both moral and fair, surely….

Reply to the comment left by Juan Degales at 09/10/2023 - 09:29
PRS is stuffed, do yourself the biggest favour of your life and get the hell out.
At some point you will have a renter who has no respect for your property and no matter how much damage they do, pay no rent, cost you a fortune in solicitors fees.
They will walk away scot free and disapear
Complain by email to your local MP & M Gove
michael.gove.mp@parliament.uk

The loony lefty marxists have taken over the asylum. RIP the PRS.

Reply to the comment left by Juan Degales at 09/10/2023 - 09:29
So, the proposal is that =landlords who rented out on a fixed term contract but always wanted to sell at the end of the contract, now must sell with sitting tenants? The renters reform Bill is already a legal mess regarding conversion of existing fixed term contracts to assured (ie life) tenancies.. The proposal of the loonies of the likes of this group's proposals is crazy...

I agree with the 4 month notice period because it can be difficult to find somewhere else - especially if you are working and have other things to do... however, some of their proposals really are a bit ridiculous. e.g. "There should be relocation payments for tenants." ... I've moved several times in my life. Usually, its a man and a van I book off Gumtree. I pay my moving costs. It gets to me that people start to look to everyone else for handouts. That's the problem.

One solution that's never mentioned much - is to bring derelict, dilapidated homes back into use. Another, is that not 'everywhere' in the UK has a 'housing shortage'...some places have more availability... encourage an exodus from the Capital... and spread out across the UK. That'd help.

And finally, the article stated: “When a landlord sells a home, it should be sold with a sitting tenant if they wish to stay." That's all well and good... but again LL's are taking a blow... I saw a house that looked great yesterday... I saw the price (to me £10-20k lower than what I would've expected)... I read the small print... it said a tenant was in there. Personally, I wouldn't touch something with a sitting tenant (I would want vacant possession), so if the LL does sell with a sitting tenant... you'll probably get less on your sales price... that said, if you've made a capital gain and had a good tenant for some time ... I think you should take that loss on the chin and sell to another mug. Let the tenant stay in their home!