0:06 AM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago 14
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The potential rise in evictions means the government must immediately introduce the Labour Party’s Private Renters’ Charter to help protect tenants.
Labour’s call follows Shadow housing secretary, Lisa Nandy, announcing that Labour would not introduce a rent freeze – despite her support of the move last September.
Key stipulations of the charter include putting an end to no-fault evictions, extending notice periods before repossession and introducing a code of conduct for letting agents.
Labour is also warning that the combination of the Tory’s mortgage policies and soaring inflation could hit renters hard, jeopardising their housing security.
Ms Nandy said: “While ministers and Tory MPs argue amongst themselves, renters are left in limbo waiting for basic reforms that are long overdue and grappling with the fallout from the Tory mortgage bombshell.
“Labour will never treat renters as second-class citizens. We will make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable with our renters’ charter.
“We will scrap no-fault evictions, introduce a four-month notice period for landlords, a national register of landlords, and a suite of new rights for tenants – including the right to make alterations to your home, the right to request speedy repairs, and the right to have pets.”
Labour has raised fears that more than three million tenants are feeling the brunt of what they term as the ‘Tory failure to protect renters’ in England.
The party is now urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take a stand against his own MPs, following rumours that up to 50 of them might oppose measures proposed under the Renters’ Reform Bill.
Introduced to Parliament in May, the Bill seeks to abolish no-fault evictions and simplify the process for landlords to reclaim their properties from ‘irresponsible’ renters.
The promise to banish no-fault evictions, also known as Section 21, was a pledge made in the Conservative manifesto back in 2019 but it could be next year before the Bill becomes law.
A Conservative spokesperson told Sky News: “Keir Starmer has u-turned on everything from rental reform to protecting the green belt. On housing, like any other policy issue, the British people can’t trust Keir Starmer to keep his word.
“Only the Conservatives are improving tenants’ rights, protecting our green spaces and delivering the right homes in the right places, as we continue to deliver on the people’s priorities by halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting NHS waiting lists and stopping the boats.”
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “The Renters (Reform) Bill, which has begun its progress through Parliament, delivers the 2019 manifesto commitment of ‘a better deal for renters’.
“Reforms will strengthen protections for both renters and landlords – abolishing so-called ‘no fault’ section 21 evictions, while strengthening landlords’ rights of possession.
“Tenants will benefit from greater security and quality of housing, and landlords will find it easier to get rid of anti-social tenants or those wilfully not paying rent.
“We remain committed to creating a private rented sector that works for responsible landlords and tenants and holding those abusing the current system to account.”
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Tenant refusing to leave?
Jo Westlake
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Sign Up10:08 AM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
Any reforms need to be fair to both landlords and tenants. If things are tilted too far in tenants favour there won't be any landlords. It doesn't matter how many rights and protections you have if you can't obtain a rental property in the first place.
Ray Doyle
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Sign Up10:20 AM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
I couldn't agree more, when you look at comments like a 4 month notice period and right to make alterations you wonder if these people live in the real world. I have a small portfolio of 8 properties, all my Tenants have been in for 8 years + there biggest fear being I will sell the properties.
And I am starting to do so, can you imagine if your tenant decides to do do some DIY alterations, insurance ramifications , re-sale ramifications etc.
Right to getting repairs done , no problem, pets? a gorilla and a crocodile might be a problem. 4 months notice? would you wait 4 months for a prospective Tenant?
You cannot keep putting stupid unenforceable regulations in place and expect landlords to remain in the industry. Less landlords less flats to rent, how does this help renters?
Ray Doyle
Chris @ Possession Friend
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Sign Up10:45 AM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
Sooner that politicians put the Majority of Renters as their Priority, instead of the minority of Rogues that find themselves justifiably evicted - the better for all.
Paula
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Sign Up11:07 AM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
Surely the notion of renting something is universally understood. If I rent a car I’m aware that it’s not mine; someone else owns it, I’m using it. It wouldn’t cross my mind to re-spray it or retune the engine. If I rent a marina berth would it be ok to fill it in and reclaim the land?
Why don’t these politicians seek advice from the average landlord, who’s doing his/her best to provide a safe, decent home without too much hassle for either themselves or their tenants? All these compliance hoops to jump through are gradually becoming a tunnel from which many landlords (including me) wish to escape!
Lee Bailey
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Sign Up11:32 AM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
Protect the tenants from poor government policy.
Because of these poor policies, I am leaving some property empty as I get 100% of the loss to reduce my overall property tax bill. Whereas I'd be taxed 40% if rented out (with small allowance back] and making little profit in some cases. S
Well done Shelter and government 👏 really helping everyone haha.
Tony Johnson
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Sign Up13:59 PM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
Should we also give car renters the right to customise their rental cars, add 4 exhausts, paint them purple with a dragon?, Remove the roof amd make it a convertible.
How about giving Hotel guests the right to redecorate the room?
PH
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Sign Up14:21 PM, 30th June 2023, About A year ago
It's hardly surprising that the country is in turmoil when you have 'leaders' making preposterous suggestions such as the right to make alterations. Can someone remind them that these houses are OUR houses and we like them just how they are thank you very much and I as the owner will decide what gets altered otherwise that'll be another house sold and another tenant looking for accommodation. Get real and talk sense for everyone's sake !
John Creaser
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Sign Up7:33 AM, 1st July 2023, About A year ago
Both parties keep going on about tenants having the right to make alterations to the property???? This is totally wrong it might there home but it is not there house.. if you hired a car didn't like the colour of the bonnet so you had sprayed a different colour before you took it back would this be acceptable??????
Phil T
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Sign Up9:16 AM, 1st July 2023, About A year ago
I've been letting 2 houses for 20 years. Always looked after tenants and kept rents low. Didnt want to but now Selling both currently, since you can't deduct your mortgage as an expense which means I'm losing money every month and that's before any maintenance or pending epc changes happens
Being a private landlord simply isn't worth the hassle anymore, not considering going limited as had enough
2 less houses for rent.
One tenant can't find a property as would seem other landlords feel the same. Letting agents told me there's 10 people going for every property.
I assume it will get worse if government keeps interfering. Can't wait to be fully out.
Bob Walker
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Sign Up9:52 AM, 1st July 2023, About A year ago
Mmmm, alterations !!!
I'll just knock a new doorway through here. A lintel, what's that ? I'll just slap a bit of pollyfiller in to hold these bricks in place.
So where's the insurance, due process and responsibility when the internal wall comes down , bringing with it half the upper floor where the teenage son is having a rave which overloaded the now non structural wall.
When will the stupidity of these politicians end?