10:54 AM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago 95
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Ben Beadle claims that the NRLA does NOT oppose the abolition of Section 21, but the court system urgently needs reform to handle evictions.
During the committee stage hearing of the Renters’ Rights Bill, the chief executive of the NRLA, Ben Beadle said: “The court system is on its knees and landlords are having to wait months for a bailiff.”
Also in the committee hearing, chair of the Lettings Industry Council, Theresa Wallace warns the Bill will cause unintended consequences and increase homelessness.
The Bill will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and make it easier for tenants with children and pets to find homes.
Mr Beadle says the NRLA welcomes the Bill and recognises the government’s efforts to address housing issues.
He told the Committee hearing: “We are largely supportive of the Bill and the Minister should take credit for how quickly the government is bringing in these reforms.
“Our position has been very clear that we do not oppose the abolition of Section 21 providing the alternative is workable and fair.”
Mr Beadle says more balance is needed in the Bill when it comes to court reforms.
He said: “We need real confidence in court reform because, right now, it’s taking an average of seven months to get a property back. With the move to Section 8, this is going to become even more important.
“We also need investment in the court system as otherwise we will not be delivering what landlords or tenants need.”
Mr Beadle pointed to an NRLA survey revealing that 60% of landlords said they were less confident or not confident about remaining a landlord without proper court reforms in place.
Theresa Wallace warned that the Renters’ Rights Bill will cause homelessness.
She said: “The Bill has the best intentions but it has unintended consequences and one of these will be more homelessness.
“We know that Section 21 will be abolished but it will not solve the issues in the private rented sector.
“Figures from the English Housing Survey reveal more than one million tenants in the PRS are in receipt of benefit payments and the majority of those should be in social housing. If we had those social homes we wouldn’t have the supply and demand imbalance.
“We have figures which show a 12% increase of properties on the market now which is the highest since 2014 per agent.
“The private landlord is very scared about the Bill and is exiting the sector. We need these homes in the PRS, and we’ve got to keep these landlords because tenants rely on them.”
Mr Beadle says the Bill has missed the robust grounds needed for landlords to retake possession.
He said: “I don’t see a doubling of notice for serious rent arrears and an increase of the serious rent arrears threshold from two months to three months as either sending the right message or being fair and proportionate.
“Those tenancies will largely fail, whether it’s two months or six months. What we want to see is to avoid rent arrears from building up in the first place.
“We are supportive of a pre-action protocol where responsible landlords can signpost tenants to manage their arrears.”
Mr Beadle added: “There’s an average of 21 people chasing every property. Whatever a nip and a tuck we make, whether landlords are leaving or not, that’s only going to worsen as confidence in the PRS decreases.”
The committee hearing will also hear from tenant groups such as Shelter and Generation Rent.
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John Parkinson
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Sign Up12:45 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 22/10/2024 - 12:32
did they survey their members?
Godfrey Jones
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Sign Up12:47 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Since the first Government attacks on Landlords in 2016 to what is being proposed now has all become too much for me. My health is suffering and I'm not sleeping. So I've recently given notice to my Tenants of 4 years. I'd rather let the property stand empty than have someone living there I can't get out.
Chris @ Possession Friend
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Sign Up12:54 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Theresa Wallace and other Letting agency bodies speak far more effectively in favour of Landlords than the NRLA.
dismayed landlord
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Sign Up13:03 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Reply to the comment left by Godfrey Jones at 22/10/2024 - 12:47
Agreed. And I will! If the CGT fees increase too much then I just let them sit. The costs will be covered by the increases in house prices. Government has had enough out of me - that’s going to be the end of renting. One left with a tenant will pay for the void expenses. Lack of homes for sale will increase the sales prices. And only one tenant to worry about - who is actually a very good tenant. Would be a shame to evict them.
Julesgflawyer
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Sign Up13:19 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Reply to the comment left by Godfrey Jones at 22/10/2024 - 12:47
Hmm. Council tax premiums on empty dwellings. Empty Dwelling Management Orders...
Click to Edit –
Archie S
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Sign Up13:33 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
NRLA proving itself once again unable to act as a credible advocate for PRS.
The consequences of this RRB are the responsibility of the government positive or negative. NRLA should be making it clear in the court of public opinion that a complete change in the way the PRS is not appropriate and the fingers should not be pointed at landlords.
As others have stated, why does NRLA get to decide what is, or isn't, sensible reform. Members should ultimately have input into this process.
Luke P
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Sign Up13:39 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 22/10/2024 - 12:15
If you take the very same rent of £1,000pcm and multiply it by 12, divide it by 365 and multiply by 35 (days in 5 weeks), then you'd get £1,150.68[493]...so who the hell knows HOW, exactly, to calculate this nonsense.
David
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Sign Up13:41 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Should be renamed NRTA. Bit of a joke when unions are demanding more from landlords yet we have Unite facing questions on spending members money amounting to £98 million on a hotel valued at far less.
Godfrey Jones
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Sign Up13:48 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Reply to the comment left by Julesgflawyer at 22/10/2024 - 13:19
Jules, Thanks for your comment.
Ok so I lose the monthly rent, which btw was 20% below average market rate, and I have to pay standing someone to cut the lawns, charges for utilities + Council tax. Hopefully the value of the property increasing will help offset the additional costs.
I might be losing money but at least I will be able to sleep at night.
EL1111
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Sign Up14:10 PM, 22nd October 2024, About a month ago
Ben Beadle is pussyfooting around everyone at that committee. Appeasement, they call it. I don't know who he represents, but as a PRS landlord, he doesn't speak for me.
'Speaking truth to power', is what politicians like to call it. A few home truths wouldn't go amis. What is everyone afraid off? The landlord will be the loser unless and until we have more powerful representation.