Michael Gove backtracks on student let reforms

Mr Gove and his department have had a very long time to produce the Renters Reform Bill. That this issue was not thought through is astonishing. I am cynical about the motives and impartiality of the civil servants in his department. I suspect some of them just want to shaft landlords and the view was: "We are giving tenants maximum flexibility and we are hurting landlords' interests. Ergo, we are doing the right thing." And damn the consequences!
I predict the Tories will not pick up a single net vote from this dreadful Bill but, as young people see their rents rise, the demand for home-owning guarantors increase and the choice of accommodation shrink they will vote for anyone but the "Conservatives".
Tories lose, Landlords lose, Tenants lose. Hey Michael, that could be your slogan for the next Election or your Party's epitaph.

They have still not cottoned on that should any student, in a student HMO, no longer be a student (ie deferred a year/left Uni and got a job but still wants to live there) then ALL in that HMO will be liable to Council Tax.
Not just the person who is no longer a Council Tax exempt student.

We have had this open ended tenancy nonsense in Scotland since 2017 , but not applied to the pbsa, (thier pals in government will look after them )Students are desperate to find a place to stay ,but there's nothing , the less well off students are abandoned.
The SNP , Dont consult with landlords or anyone else , just force "laws " through with the despicable conniving green party hoard ...
Time to dissolve the experiment of Scottish devolution.
It has been a utter disaster for Scotland.

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 24/05/2023 - 10:05
Given that they often spend 18 months to 2 years shunting this sort of legislation around in Parliament, back and forth between Commons and Lords, committee stages etc., what's the betting in the run up to the next General Election that it 'runs out of Parliamentary time'?!!!

"I predict the Tories will not pick up a single net vote from this dreadful Bill"

Maybe they've already written off winning the next election and are just screwing it up for the next lot.
The consequences of this are obvious.

It will be interesting to see what form of words they concoct to try and address the issue without simply adding more confusion and uncertainty.

Ben Beadle says that PBSA is already excluded, which is lifted from the explanatory notes and correct but the Bill goes further and excludes all tenancies where the landlord can currently use S8 ground 4 ie when the property is let by an educational institution as defined. It is not therefore confined to purpose built student accommodation but would include all accommodation let to or owned by the institution and let or sublet to students. Would some form of rent to rent agreement with the education provider meet the concerns of those who are currently private student landlords?

Hallelujah ! I won’t believe it until it’s actually made official ! The concept of ending fixed term tenancies is the equivalent of committing Harakiri for a landlord like myself. ... absolute nonsense, and as my friend is above her side and active looking after government chums, who are laughing all the way to the bank at our expense !

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Gove will do us proud, and of course, all landlords in general and not just the student one’s

🤞🏼

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 24/05/2023 - 10:05
OMG - exactly how long have they had to think about this???? What the h*ll is wrong with them? They are a bunch of incompetant id*ots.

I wonder if they can spot all their other stupid mistakes?

Landlords lose. Tenants lose. Torries lose.

Another example, as if needed, of total incompetence on part of the civil service.

Reply to the comment left by Patrick S at 24/05/2023 - 11:50
Oh, you are bullying me. I have suffered stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, call it what you will.