Campaigners call for rent controls, open-ended tenancies and ‘fair’ four-month notice periods

A coalition of renting pressure groups has unveiled a manifesto that calls for sweeping changes in the private rented sector – including rent controls, open-ended tenancies and ‘fair’ four-month notice periods. 

The Renters Manifesto also demands an end to Section 21 and for all PRS homes to have an EPC rating of C or above.

The Manifesto calls for political parties to fix the housing crisis and the broken renting system.

Enforce energy efficiency standards

The renting pressure groups, including Generation Rent, argue that councils need to enforce energy efficiency standards. The groups also advocate for all tenants to claim back rent if their home does not meet energy efficiency requirements.  

The manifesto says: “We need green homes fit for the future and an end to fuel poverty. All rented homes should be brought up to an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C or above.

“Local authorities must have a duty, and be properly resourced, to enforce energy efficiency standards. Tenants must be able to claim rent back on homes that are not energy efficient. A regulator should carry out robust inspections to determine this, and to give tenants a clear
path to reclaim this rent.”

Only evict in limited circumstances

The groups are also campaigning for the ban on Section 21 evictions. The groups argue that landlords should only be able to end tenancies in limited circumstances.

The manifesto says: “Landlords need a high bar of evidence for evicting a tenant and only should evict in limited circumstances.

“Landlords require a high bar of evidence for their reasons (such as wanting to move family members in), with repercussions for abuse of this process. There should be relocation payments for tenants.

“When a landlord sells a home, it should be sold with a sitting tenant if they wish to stay.”

All tenancies should be open-ended

Other demands from the renters coalition groups include an end to fixed-term tenancies.

They say: “All tenancies should be open-ended for all tenants, so they can leave when they need to and can expect to stay as long as they like.

“In exceptional circumstances where tenants are to be evicted through no fault of their own, a fair notice period of at least four months must be given so they have enough time to find a suitable new home.”

The groups are also calling for rent freezes to be introduced as soon as possible.

The manifesto states: “Excessive rent rises are driven by profiteering by letting agents and landlords. The market isn’t regulating itself; it is the government’s responsibility to make sure everyone can access an affordable home.

“No one should have to spend more than 30% of their income on rent. We need rent controls that bring rents down and maintain them at this level. Local incomes should be factored in when these controls are set, and they should be accountable to renters.”

The full manifesto can be read here.