Is it time for landlords to take action?

The last so-called Conservative government enacted some terrible policies on the PRS. After our initial shock, many of us flexed and adapted and eventually habituated to greater risks for fewer profits, many of us sold up and left the sector.

All of this pales into insignificance when compared to what our current socialist government has up their sleeves. And to be clear the last time our government was this far left, was in the late 1940’s under Clement Attlee. Even the governments of Wilson in the 60s and Callaghan in the 70s were more centrist.

Starmer was criticised for not saying much during the run-up to the election, and it is now plain to see why. The less he said, the less he can now be accused of going back on. What little was said, has already, as we have seen, been cast aside. Who would have thought they would pull the winter fuel allowance for the elderly given the pressure they placed upon the Conservatives to maintain it.

How many Labour politicians were NIMBYs when the Conservatives wanted to build? Yet now, as a party they have run roughshod over the wishes of their own lower ranks and their constituents. How many times did we hear taxes will not be raised? We are not dealing with rational or reasonable people any longer. We are facing the views of narcissistic ideologists, who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

It’s a bit like fighting against a religious army, you need to be far better prepared and with greater numbers to win against their zeal and conviction.

This is what we are facing. If they are allowed, they will decimate the sector. Do not think that what has been announced so far is the totality of what is planned. To EPC C, Section 21 abolition, increased CGT and ‘the hardship clause’ you can add rent controls, mandatory nationwide licensing, PRS tenants right to buy after a specific tenure and compulsory purchase orders. At the same time you will be vilified and demonised for being a landlord. It is time to fight back in every way we can. Every proposed imposition must be robustly challenged. Every MP in the country needs to be called to speak with local landlords, agents, finance providers, insurers, to discuss and oppose the carnage they are attempting to wreak.

I have written to my MP. My managing agent has written to the same MP. Other local agencies have written to the same MP. I will continue to get others to do the same, each asking to talk with the MP and/or inviting him or her out to their business to discuss said issues.

At the least this will begin to feel very uncomfortable, at best it will ensure that consistent communication is fed back to the Cabinet nationwide. We need to learn from those minority groups, who despite their small stature, have a voice and appearance much bigger than they are (Generation Rent for example).

We are the opposite, we are a big group, with lots of power, albeit fragmented, and we have relied on the NRLA to represent us. They have not and will not. It is time to stand up and be counted – every single one of us.

I implore you to act. Write to your MP outlining your concerns and your thoughts on the negative impact their policies will have. Get others to do the same. Invite said MPs to meet and talk. Above all – do something! If anyone has any other ideas as to how we can challenge what is coming, please share your thoughts in this forum.

Thanks for reading,

Steve

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