Housing Coalition: A new voice for the private rented sector

The private rented sector (PRS) in the UK has a new campaign group: the Housing Coalition. The group consists of several leading organisations, forums and associations that represent landlords, agents and tenants, including Property118 and Propertymark.

The group’s mission is to allow a collaborative voice to improve standards within the sector, make private renting fairer for the benefit of landlords, agents, and tenants alike and to provide an environment for landlords and agents to support housing needs.

The first in-person meeting of the group was held at Propertymark’s London offices, where the guest speaker was Andrew Lewer, a Conservative MP and a member of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee and he is chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Private Rented Sector.

‘Coalition is a great opportunity for the private rented sector’

Neil Patterson, the managing director of Property118, said: “The coalition is a great opportunity for the private rented sector to make its voice heard in Parliament.

“The PRS is a crucial sector that provides homes for millions of people but proposals for its future need to have an input from everyone affected.

“That includes tenants and landlords, agents and other groups with a stake in the success of the PRS and we are proud to be involved.”

Propertymark’s head of policy and campaigns, Timothy Douglas, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Propertymark and other leading sector organisations, forums and landlord associations to collaborate and make sure that our voices are heard when it comes to reforming the private rental sector.

“By working together and harnessing our collective experiences, knowledge, data and case studies from across the country we can challenge policymakers and bring about positive change going forward.”

Three initial campaign priorities

The coalition has identified three initial campaign priorities for it to focus on:

• Renters (Reform) Bill: The group will lobby to ensure the needs of landlords, agents and the private rented sector are being heard. This will include the challenge of moving from fixed terms to periodic, which may adversely impact student lets, local authorities having adequate resources to maintain standards within the PRS and that the UK Government introduces pro-growth measures to stimulate the supply of properties.
• Legal and court reform: While the removal of Section 21 may have an adverse impact on the sector, the Housing Coalition recognises the move has cross party support and will focus efforts on ensuring court reforms are fit for purpose to allow landlords to seek possession via the courts.
• Improving standards within the private rental sector: The introduction of the Decent Homes Standard must be tailored to the PRS; local authorities have a key role in improving standards and need more support and with the UK Government committed to meeting Net Zero by 2050 landlords can help but they need financial and taxation incentives.

Coalition is also keen to expand its membership

The coalition is also keen to expand its membership to be an inclusive group for organisations that support improving the supply, quality and environment for private rental sector housing.

The current members of the Housing Coalition are:

• Propertymark
• Possession Friend
• iHowz
• North East Landlords Association
• Safe Agent
• Property118
• Property Tribes
• Cornwall Residential Landlords Association
• Greater Yarmouth Landlords Association
• Humber and District Landlords Association
• Portsmouth and District Landlords Association
• Northwest Landlords Association
• Scottish Association of Landlords.