Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, comments on third reading of Renters Reform Bill

I think we will see many landlords selling up and exiting the PRS.
This dreadful Conservative government has imposed an unfair tax regime on the PRS. A tax regime that sees turnover (rather than profit) being taxed. No other business is taxed in this manner.
These unfair taxes are ultimately paid by the tenant through increased rents.
The Conservative government has also increased regulation. Private rental properties are far more regulated (and therefore far more expensive to run) than their social housing cousins. Whilst the Press likes to paint all private landlords with the same tarred brush as (in the words of Michael Gove) the tiny minority of bad landlords, they don’t seem to target social housing providers with the same brush. Remember Awaab’s Law?
This excessive regulation is costly. It is ultimately paid for by the tenants through higher rents.
With the RRB, the Conservatives are using a very heavy sledgehammer to crack a very tiny nut.
There will be unintended consequence of the RRB. The cost of providing a safe home will be increased (and will ultimately be paid for by the tenants). There will be fewer properties available for private rent; this will ensure that the least desirable rental properties remain in high demand. The Courts will be overwhelmed with Section 8 Notices; tenants will know why they have been evicted but this be no comfort to them as they join the many thousands of people in temporary accommodation.
We have too many people and too few houses. Hundreds of thousands of migrants every year will ensure that we never have sufficient houses to satisfy demand.
The private renters’ lot will get much worse when Starmer and Co have the keys to No 10. I predict that Labour will have the largest majority on record. Even Conservative voters such as myself despise every Conservative MP in the country. Not one is fit for public office.

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 26/04/2024 - 09:50
I simply cannot understand how this government has allowed itself to get to this state when it [Boris] was elected with a majority which should have enabled it to pass whatever legislation it wanted, and in doing so, deliver on its manifesto. Had it done so, it would most likely have been re-elected.

Instead, it has bowed to the media and opposition, and kicked-out the one man the average person in the street would vote for, warts and all.

It has not dealt with illegal migration, but rather tiptoed around the ECHR issue, worried about how it would look. Well, I can tell them how it would look to those who count; the voters. We'd be extremely pleased. Has Australia been excluded from international relations? No! But they have sorted out their illegal.migrarion problem.

The upshot is we have a housing crisis, where there is insufficient social housing, and what there is seems to be prioritised for 'those not on the waiting list'. This puts more pressure on the PRS, which is already contracting under the weight of taxation and regulation. Yet, the answer seems to be to load yet more regulation and cost onto the PRS.

I won't be voting for this shower after 51 years. Neither will I vote for the other rabble. There's nothing to choose between them.

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 26/04/2024 - 10:43I agree with your comment BUT as I have often told my kids, if you don't vote you have no right to complain.

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 26/04/2024 - 11:30
I totally agree. Your vote is a privilege, and you must always use it and don't spoil it. I will vote Reform. They are saying what this government should have been doing. They won't be successful, but we know whatever the other bunch promise, they won't deliver (now that's a wasted vote!). Indeed, it's already happening, with Labour back-tracking from it's promise to end leasehold in its first 100 days. The Tories wouldn't end ground rents as they promised because they know they're going to lose and can't be bothered with the leasehold vote any more. They'd rather bow to their mates in the freehold lobby while they can, and hopefully secure a lucrative position afterwards. Labour believe they're going to win, and no longer need the leasehold vote.

Who knows... they said we wouldn't leave the EU, and the people said 'Yes', and somehow, that fool Clegg became the kingmaker in 2010, and forced Cameron to u-turn by saddling students with huge loans, which the taxpayer will pick up because most will never pay them back.

The Tories are toast, but if you would have to swallow vomit to bring yourself to vote Labour, at least go with your conscience and vote Reform.

It would also help if the judges overseeing these cases weren't corrupt. Any chance we can have Shariah Law or Sikh Law? Can' t be any worse that what we currently have.

Reply to the comment left by TJP at 26/04/2024 - 12:15
Things can definitely get worse.

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 26/04/2024 - 11:45
Can you tell us all what Reform’s policies are please ?

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 26/04/2024 - 12:39
No idea but then if the Hobson choice parties only talk policy and fail to deliver what difference will it make anyway. May as well vote for any minority party that takes your fancy for whatever reason. If neither main party has zero votes and the minority have no overall power perhaps eventually the penny will drop. It will never happen but what’s the option ? Not voting? Its a waste. Voting for a main party that you know will let you down?

I have often voted for the Monster Raving Looney Party.

Here are some of their policies that were actually implemented by conservatives and Labour

24-hour licensing laws
Lowering the voting age to 18
Abolition of dog licences
The legalisation of commercial radio
The pedestrianisation of Carnaby Street
Passports for pets
Abolition of the 11 plus exam

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 26/04/2024 - 12:39
Key policies include tighter immigration controls, lower taxation, cutting NHS waiting lists, reforming the BBC and House of Lords, and an overhaul of the government’s Net Zero plans. What's not to like?