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11:11 AM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago 53
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I cannot stay silent any longer because the continued attack on landlords will end in tears for us, tenants and the government.
I was taken aback when the Scottish government announced that it was introducing legislation for a rent freeze without any negotiation or discussion with the private rental sector in the country.
I was stunned when they also announced a moratorium on evictions. Both the rent freeze and moratorium will run until March next year.
However, the reason I cannot stay silent any longer comes after Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, took aim at the private rental sector with some unkind words.
There is a great story on Property 118.com that reveals what Starmer said about landlords. It was this bit:
“If you keep inflating demand without increasing supply house prices will only rise.”
He is right of course – it’s that old issue of supply and demand. The population is growing – but we aren’t building enough homes.
Let me help you, Sir Keir, with a reality that you and your colleagues don’t appreciate. Here’s my rewrite:
“Because if you keep inflating demand without increasing supply, RENT prices will only rise.”
There you go. How hard was that? Oh, wait, there was more nonsense. He said:
“And homes become less affordable for working people.”
I think I can leave that one right there! Rent rises hurt everyone.
To be fair to Starmer, I had already been irked by the smiling loon Lisa Nandy who had already told the party conference that Labour would bring in a decent homes’ standard – all landlords want to provide quality homes for tenants. We don’t all need beating with the same big stick.
However, since she and just about every other politician believes that all landlords are in it for the money and provide poor quality accommodation, she went on to say that Labour would tilt the power towards tenants with a new renters’ charter.
I can’t even begin to explain how angry this notion makes me.
Are we really expected to have tenants not paying rent or trashing our homes or cause problems for neighbours without having any route to repossess our property?
The big issue for me is that what Starmer said is likely to be in the next Labour manifesto.
And there will be a huge problem for landlords unless we have an organisation that stands up more vociferously for us and our rights or, I will explain more later, we organise ourselves with a real threat to the government that they will not be able to deal with unless they offer a realistic compromise.
Remember this date: Christmas 2024. That’s because it’s a month before the next General Election will be held – it will be before the end of January 2025 – according to the law.
I believe that we should organise a ‘Section 21 Day’ and hand EVERY tenant their notice so that the Government and local authorities, politicians and critics (Yes, I’m looking at you Shelter) can see what we do for our tenants.
While this is an unpleasant Christmas surprise for renters, politicians must stop the rhetoric and work with us. You can’t rehouse 4.4million households.
I can’t claim credit for this idea – there was a comment on Property118.com that suggested the same thing. I think it’s a great proposal. We can threaten it once we see the party manifestos and deliver it to give the campaigning politicians something to think about.
If we stay silent and do nothing, we should prepare for the worst. Because the worst will come.
So, I’m the Landlord Crusader and I will be highlighting the issues I have with the PRS and its potential future – it currently does not have a great one – and I look forward to the Conservative Party conference next week.
Yes, while I’m not expecting a lot from the new housing minister who is a former landlord, I am expecting fireworks from the Prime Minister Lizz Blundertruss and the Chancellor ‘Kami’ Kwasi Kwarteng.
Until next time,
The Landlord Crusader
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UK's annual house price growth slows to single digits
TheMaluka
17:55 PM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 30/09/2022 - 16:58
Obviously I have learnt little over the past 30 years but I fail to see how you could have deduced this from my comment.
TheMaluka
17:57 PM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 30/09/2022 - 17:23
Your comment reflects my experience.
TrevL
18:41 PM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago
Worst superhero name EVER!
Bluethumbs
19:38 PM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago
I've been a landlord for 25 years with a total of 13 properties, as a construction worker I utilized my skill and expertise in doing these properties up, with the hope that when I get to an age (which is now) i could provide for my old age pension and that my family could benefit from the long hours and tough manual work I had to endure for a comfortable retirement. Yet here we are again! everyone else seems to think we're all multi-millionaires, never considering that we have to pay CGT and all the interim maintenance costs plus damage to our properties, plus loss of rent due to non-rent payers, all legal costs trying to get them out. all at our expense. during the pandemic I lost my job and because I had been prudent and saved and owned properties, I wasn't able to claim anything, NO furlough, no job seekers allowance, absolutely nothing, 25% of my tenants couldn't pay their rent. I couldn't get them out, even now doing everything by the law with Section 21. I have a legal fight as tenants claim they can't afford to rent elsewhere, and council advice to tenants is " let landlord take you to court and evict you" so yet again were seen as the money grabbing landlord! But these MP's will soon be giving themselves a pay rise, whereas I have to go back out to work at 67 to afford their polices, no wonder rents are expensive, landlords are persecuted. why should we pay for everyone else incompetence or lack of providing financially for themselves,
Stuart Ross
21:07 PM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago
That article sounds like it's been written by a bitter Conservative Member and let's not forget that these changes have been made under a Conservative Government(COVID-19), but it's the same adage that it will be worse if Labour gets in, like Corbyn will crash the pound...!?! Leave politics out of it(canvassing) and stick to the facts...!?! 🤔🤔🤔
Old Mrs Landlord
23:56 PM, 30th September 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 30/09/2022 - 17:55
My comment was intended to make you think again about your mad scheme for a mass issue of S.21s because the government response will not be favourable. Landlords would gain nothing positive from such action and tenants would suffer immeasurably. I, for one, am not prepared to treat my tenants with whom, almost without exception, I have a good and mutually respectful relationship as pawns in a kami-kazi game of chess with the powers that be.
TheMaluka
8:14 AM, 1st October 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 30/09/2022 - 23:56
This scheme is absolutly nothing to do with me, I merely asked for alternative proposals.
paul thomason
9:28 AM, 1st October 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 01/10/2022 - 08:14
I think none off us have a great deal off influence on party politics .we need to make the best out off rules as it’s the best option . I think those off us who are in it for long term want long term tenants I see my tennants as my customers and if I don’t give quality my customers go elsewhere .
paul thomason
9:31 AM, 1st October 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by paul thomason at 01/10/2022 - 09:28
We can reduce the chances off problem tenants by taking rent insurance we can fix are Morgage rates we can start short term Lettings it’s better to work within the rules
Paul Power
9:57 AM, 1st October 2022, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by land law at 30/09/2022 - 12:12
It's a lose all round strategy. As an observer I have never been able to understand how the general advice from the Council to remain in a property until evicted is legitimate. If there were pathways to attack this directly and seek recompense for decades of losses and distress for both Landlord and tenant driven by the "advice" it would get more attention as it will directly impact the establishment financially. Disruption created by LL to make a point via S21 will see LL further demonised