NRLA urges MPs to support amendments to Renters (Reform) Bill

NRLA urges MPs to support amendments to Renters (Reform) Bill

0:07 AM, 19th January 2024, About 11 months ago 9

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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling on MPs to support ‘pragmatic changes’ to the Renters (Reform) Bill.

The move would, the landlords’ organisation says, help both landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

Now the NRLA says that amendments to the Bill proposed by Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall and others, would make the bill more workable and fairer for both parties.

The bill, which is due to be debated at the Report stage, aims to end the use of section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

‘Agree that tenants need to feel empowered’

Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the NRLA, said: “We accept that section 21 is going and agree that tenants need to feel empowered to challenge the actions of rogue and criminal landlords.

“However, amidst a supply crisis in the rental market, it is vital that the bill has the confidence of responsible landlords.”

He added: “These pragmatic changes would go a long way towards striking the balance between the needs of renters and the majority of landlords who do right by their tenants.”

Amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill

The amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill suggested by Mr Mangnall and supported by the NRLA include:

  • Following the advice of the cross-party housing select committee, which said tenants should not be able to end a fixed term tenancy within the first four months, to provide more stability for landlords.
  • Allowing courts to consider evidence such as texts or emails from neighbours when deciding if a tenant has been involved in anti-social behaviour, to make it easier for landlords to deal with problem tenants.
  • Requiring the government to publish a review of how the courts handle possession cases before abolishing section 21, to address the concerns of the Law Society, which said the courts are ‘vastly overstretched’ and the eviction process can take ‘many months, sometimes more’.
  • Ending the use of selective licensing schemes by local authorities, which the NRLA said are costly and ineffective, when the national Property Portal, which will provide information and ratings on landlords and properties, is launched.
  • Extending the government’s proposed ground for possession for student housing, which would allow landlords to evict students at the end of the academic year, to one- and two-bedroom properties, not just Houses in Multiple Occupation, to protect the annual cycle of student accommodation.

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Cider Drinker

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12:16 PM, 19th January 2024, About 11 months ago

Should we fix problems that simply don’t exist? It would be extremely unlikely that a tenant would wish to end a tenancy in the first 4 months without good reason.

Texts or emails from neighbours are not evidence. They are often just subjective, twaddle. Neighbours would need to give consent for their texts are emails to be used.

We absolutely need to have confidence that the courts system is fit for purpose. It isn’t at the moment. Landlords should be allowed to appoint bailiffs if the tenant is two months in arrears. Where this is later proven to be wrong, the landlord should be sued.

Selective Licensing is often no more than another tax to boost council funds. Councils would need to know where they could gather funds if selective licensing was (rightly) scrapped.

Finally, Section 21 is not a ‘no fault’ eviction. It is a no evidence, guaranteed eviction (if the court agrees). A number of Section 8’s Grounds are ‘no fault of the tenant’. We must stop referring to Section 21 as a ‘no fault’ eviction and tenants, Shelter, Crisis, Generation Tent must understand that ‘no fault’ evictions will still exist post the Renters (Reform) Bill. Indeed, their number may increase.

Old Mrs Landlord

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12:28 PM, 19th January 2024, About 11 months ago

What we need is a mandatory ground for eviction of anti-social tenants, which is what exists with S.21. Judges have been known to show reluctance to evict renants who might not find it easy to secure another home. With the current shortage of rental properties that applies to many if not most evicted renters.

Cider Drinker

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13:11 PM, 19th January 2024, About 11 months ago

I have had a neighbour complain to me about my tenant. I suggested that they co tact the EH team who advised the neighbours that my tenant was well within his rights to have a party in his garden. The neighbour wanted silence after 7pm (I kid you not) because he needed to be up early to do a paper round.

A moaning neighbour is not evidence.

Stella

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14:10 PM, 19th January 2024, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 19/01/2024 - 13:11
If we have to consider evidence from neighbours that will indeed be very interesting.
I have had complaints from a neighbour beause they thought that they could hear the tenants phone through the adjoing wall.
In another property the neighbour took photographs of the builders and everything they were doing although the work did not affect him in any way and if they were not out of the property by 6.0pm on the dot he would remind them.
The tapestry of life!

Reluctant Landlord

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18:31 PM, 19th January 2024, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 19/01/2024 - 12:16
I for one will be staying well clear of tenant and neighbour arguments. I will remind anyone who asks that I rent a building only and am NOT responsible for any tenant action - end of.

If I don't have any chance of getting the info together to 'evidence' ASBO issues as I am not actually living there myself and non if it will be first hand, then what am I supposed to do exactly? The neighbour can progress with any complaint how they would if the tenant owned the place themselves. I am not a UN peacekeeper!

Michael Booth

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6:57 AM, 20th January 2024, About 11 months ago

Another hurdle that's put up by the lovees to support the poor victimised tenant and protect their apparent rights , best to leave this sector , l have been I this prs for24 years and never seen anything like this.

JC

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8:04 AM, 20th January 2024, About 11 months ago

They are trying to force all private investors out of the PRS to be replaced by the banks as the largest landlords in the PRS. Deals are already being done and not widely reported. Watch this space!!!

JC

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8:08 AM, 20th January 2024, About 11 months ago

My advice is to pay off or reduce your lending level on any rental property. Then you will no longer be sent into a panic every time interest rates are mentioned. Further if you can afford to rent your property at LHA rates and it is still a viable investment then stay in the PRS. If the answer is no then sell sell sell !!!!!

JC

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8:14 AM, 20th January 2024, About 11 months ago

Finally, find a transparent and well regarded letting agent. I say letting agent as estate agents entered the market en masse in 2008 due to no house sales. Most (99.5%) of estate agents have absolutely no idea when its comes to lettings. It's like getting 3rd party insurance on your car....pointless!
Look for a letting agent with at least 10 years trading experience and read the contract carefully before signing. A real letting agent will navigate you around all the upcoming hurdles as they dont have the fall back of income from sales.
I have been running the most successful and well regarded letting agency since 2004 in my area. I have never advertised and never will.

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