Labour calls for a ‘Renters’ Charter’

Labour calls for a ‘Renters’ Charter’

10:47 AM, 3rd April 2023, About 2 years ago 103

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Labour MP Diane Abbott appeared on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ today (Monday) to push for a renters’ charter that will help protect tenants.

The segment highlighted that the number of available homes for renting in the UK has dropped by a third in the last 18 months – but rent prices have seen a 20% increase in the last three years.

Now, Ms Abbott is calling on the government to encourage more responsible private landlords.

‘One of the problems of stratospheric rents’

She said: “Rents are stratospheric and one of the problems of stratospheric rents is that a lot of younger people are not going to be able to buy because every penny is going on rent.

“With landlords, we want to encourage good landlords, but we want to bear down on bad landlords.”

When asked what a bad landlord is by the presenter Kate Garraway, Ms Abbott replied: “A bad landlord is somebody that first of all uses the no-fault eviction to get you out, and a bad landlord is someone who puts up the rent every six months, every three months and that is what is causing renters so many problems.

“There’s no certainty because bad landlords just want to exploit the market.”

Government is set to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions

Ms Garraway highlighted that the government is set to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, but Ms Abbott said there was no sign of the legislation.

She added: “It’s not down for debate in Parliament and a Labour government would put an end to no-fault evictions.”

Co-presenter Richard Madeley then asked Ms Abbott about the anecdotal stories of landlords charging potential tenants just to view a property.

Ms Abbott said: “They are now charging just to look at a property, some of them are charging a relatively small amount, £30, but some of them are charging hundreds of pounds.”

Ms Garraway said that a programme journalist had investigated and could find no evidence that landlords are charging potential tenants to view a property, other than in one or two anecdotal cases.

She added that the law, since 2020, has made the paying of these fees illegal and asked Ms Abbott where she was getting her evidence.

Accepted that hers was anecdotal evidence

Ms Abbott accepted that hers was anecdotal evidence and there was no survey evidence but ‘a lot of estate agents’ are saying that tenants are being charged and ‘this is something that needs to be cracked down on’.

Ms Abbott continued: “One of the things a Labour government would do is to bring in a renters’ charter and one of the things that would say is in no circumstances can landlords charge just to view a property.”

The presenter highlighted that there is already a law to prevent this from happening, so there would be no reason to bring in a law to deal with the issue but Ms Abbott replied: “But it doesn’t seem to be biting, does it? Because you hear too much anecdotal evidence, certainly in London, of people charging to view.”

This is the interview on Twitter from Good Morning Britain with Ms Abbott.


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G Master

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8:03 AM, 5th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 04/04/2023 - 23:57
I have to agree. I worked for more than 40 years and although took early retirement, I am working more hours as a landlord than when I was on my full time job. I get no respect for the hard work I gave, still pay higher rate tax and who for? Some Uber drivers who only work set single hours a day so that he doesn't go over the number of hours where his benefit would cut.
Shame on this government (both ruling and opposition) to create such lazy, good for nothing people. I don't feel happy living in this country anymore. (I guess you can tell that I am a migrant)

Ian Narbeth

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11:39 AM, 5th April 2023, About 2 years ago

We have issued fewer than six s21 notices in 10 years. On two occasions it was at the request of the tenant (and in one of those of the local Council) so that the tenant could be re-housed by the Council. In future instead of saying to the Council: I've been evicted under section 21, tenants will have to say: I've been evicted under section 8 for non payment of rent or anti-social behaviour. Councils will then tell the tenant they won't house them. Massive own goal Diane!

Section 21 is an important tool to deal with problem tenants in HMOs. It is not reasonable to expect fellow housemates to give evidence against another housemate and live under the same roof as them for months before the case gets to court. None of the politicians has given any inkling that they even recognise this problem, let alone suggested a solution.

Blodwyn

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12:34 PM, 5th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Politicians are out to catch the voter's eye, not to think of (un?)foreseen problems to come.

Dylan Morris

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19:28 PM, 5th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Well this Clause 24 is a problem. Ben Beadle heading up the NRLA has said recently that despite their substantial lobbying there is no way the Government are up for reversing it. They will look at some issues such as Section 8 grounds and such things but definitely not Clause 24. And Labour certainly won’t scrap it and give us back our “perk”.
My interest rates have increased tremendously (on trackers) and my estimated net profit is now around £25k p.a. but I’ll be paying 40% on about £5k of this. I don’t have any other income and live off the rent from my small portfolio of 7 properties.
In three years time I will (hopefully) receive the full state pension currently around £10k a year. However I will be paying 40% tax on this state pension due to Clause 24. So income £25k net profit on rentals subject to £5k of it at 40% and state pension £10k which is all subject to 40%. My total income will be £35k with almost half of it being taxed at 40%. And they wonder why I’m selling 4 of my rental properties, really nice modern flats which are now going to be removed from the PRS.

Beaver

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9:30 AM, 6th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 05/04/2023 - 19:28
I know selling makes a lot of sense for all sorts of other reasons. But just another thought. Could you incorporate that and roll the capital gain into a company?

Dylan Morris

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10:27 AM, 6th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 06/04/2023 - 09:30
I’m fairly sure I’ll have to pay stamp duty and capital gains tax at the point the properties transfer to the company.

Beaver

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11:04 AM, 6th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 06/04/2023 - 10:27
I'd be inclined to check that. Because if that's not necessarily true and you sell the properties in the company you can pay corporation tax, or possibly pay from the company into a SIPP to reduce your corporation tax bill.

NewYorkie

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11:28 AM, 6th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 06/04/2023 - 11:04
It's probably not beneficial if you have a few low value, low mortgage properties, and are on basic rate income tax. It becomes more interesting if you are a higher rate taxpayer, with high value property, with large mortgage(s), and generating high rental income.

Get some good advice and then a good accountant.

Har Kaur

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9:05 AM, 8th April 2023, About 2 years ago

I am currently selling my flat in London, owned since 1997, because I dread the introduction of straight jacket measures from the government, and my tenant is currently looking for alternative accommodation. I haven't heard anywhere that people are being charged for viewings it's another one of those Media generated scare stories designed to promote maximum propaganda. Target = landlords . For an elected official to repeat it, and at the same time to acknowledge that it's unsubstantiated, shows us where we are at as regards integrity and a concern for the truth. God help us.

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9:22 AM, 8th April 2023, About 2 years ago

Do they tackle the issue of WHY available housing is down by 30%??? Why is there such a shortage of housing in this country??? Why has the government failed to supply “affordable housing”?

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