Labour: Landlords can’t evict tenants if it makes them worse off

Labour: Landlords can’t evict tenants if it makes them worse off

10:09 AM, 5th August 2024, About 3 months ago 94

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Labour is looking to prevent landlords from evicting tenants who have nowhere else to live, the Telegraph reports.

It says government ministers will propose imitating a French scheme which has ‘hardship tests’ that must be followed before an eviction is allowed.

The rule effectively bans evictions that would leave a tenant worse off.

Supported by housing minister Matthew Pennycook, the rule is aimed at reducing homelessness.

Labour is also, the newspaper highlights, in talks about the proposals to reintroduce a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) of C for the private rented sector.

A new ‘war on landlords’

The Telegraph says the moves will raise fears of a new ‘war on landlords’ which includes losing tax breaks on mortgage interest, more red tape and stamp duty surcharges.

The newspaper says that the housing minister wants to amend the new Renters’ Rights Bill to include the hardship test.

When the Renters (Reform) Bill was making its way through Parliament, Mr Pennycook tried adding an amendment to make it harder for tenants to be evicted.

That would have seen a judge refuse a possession order if it would lead to ‘greater hardship’ to a tenant.

The amendment highlighted three issues when the hardship rule would be met: a tenant losing their job if evicted, a tenant who has terminal cancer and if the eviction leads to homelessness.

Pennycook’s amendment failed to make it

Mr Pennycook’s amendment failed to make it in the RRB, but Labour now has a 174-seat majority in Parliament.

The Telegraph also highlights that Labour will reintroduce EPC targets for landlords with a 2030 deadline.

Many landlords will be looking at expensive upgrades, but the government might have a £10,000 cap on costs.

However, those close to the discussions say that Labour might choose a higher cap – or none at all.

EPC plans for landlords

The EPC plans for landlords would, the Conservative MP for Harrow East, Bob Blackman, be ‘unfair’.

He also told the newspaper that the target for energy efficiency was ‘not practical’.

Mr Blackman also said that many PRS properties cannot be upgraded which would see landlords sell-up.

He also warns that the costs would be put onto tenants with higher rents.

The MP also says that the hardship test would be unfair for landlords who are providing a service.

‘Renters’ Rights Bill will make renting fairer for all’

A government spokesperson told the Telegraph: “The private rented sector is in desperate need of reform, and our Renters’ Rights Bill will make renting fairer for all.

“The energy shocks of recent years have also shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes so we can secure our energy independence and reduce fuel poverty.

“Responsible landlords who provide quality homes to their tenants have nothing to fear from the sensible overhaul of private rented sector regulation we intend to implement.”


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Crystal Landini

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17:40 PM, 22nd September 2024, About a month ago

PRS corner shop landlady leaving the sector, cant afford balance of risk that labour govt legislation would make

Northampton Landlord

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3:06 AM, 24th September 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Caroline Newman at 05/08/2024 - 10:28
Deposits were messed up by The Labour opposition in 2019.
They wanted deposits lowered to 3 weeks rent.
The Conservatives tried for 6 weeks rent.
Compromise at 5 weeks.
In the mix-up both extra deposits for pets and or children were ignored, thereby making them illegal.
The land of unforeseen consequencss strikes again.
Politicians do not understand renting.
They meddle "With the best of intentions" and cause chaos for everyone in the industry and wander off telling everyone "My work here is done."

Alison Clark

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8:39 AM, 24th September 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 10/08/2024 - 17:25
Thank you Judith.

Sorry to hear you are selling. I am too and only started last November with the 1 property, so appreciate it’s not the same as LL who have been propping up the PRS for a very long time and it’s their main income.

No doubt I will be accessing this platform of which I am truly grateful for, until I get my property back next year. We will probably speak again but if not. Best wishes!!!

Alison Clark

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19:19 PM, 24th September 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Caroline Newman at 13/08/2024 - 07:04
Thank you Caroline. I think I would feel better from January when my insurance expires with Simplybusiness to maybe renew with a specialist provider of landlord insurance cover. If the tenancy goes full term and the tenant leaves without any issues I would only need cover from January to May. A policy which is flexible with its terms would be helpful. I’ll call them.

Thanks again.

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