Generation Rent criticises the lack of rent caps in the Renters’ Rights Bill

Generation Rent criticises the lack of rent caps in the Renters’ Rights Bill

0:03 AM, 20th January 2025, About 4 weeks ago 3

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Generation Rent says it is disappointed by the lack of measures to introduce rent caps as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

The organisation says that the Bill’s abolition of Section 21 evictions is a positive step for renters in England and it welcomes the ban on paying more than a month’s rent in advance.

However, Generation Rent highlights the issue of soaring rents, which are outstripping earnings.

It notes that the Bill contains few measures to address the cost of renting crisis.

‘Introduce rent caps within tenancies’

Generation Rent says: “It is therefore disappointing the Government didn’t bring forward the amendment to introduce rent caps within tenancies to limit how much landlords can hike the rent on their tenants.

“Without this measure, many landlords will use rent hikes as a Section 21 eviction in all but name.”

It adds: “In the long-term, the government must act to stop runaway rents and unfreeze the Local Housing Allowance rate to protect families on low incomes from poverty and homelessness.”

The organisation says that the Bill offers tenants few measures ‘to give us the breathing space we need from the cost of renting’.

The reach of Rent Repayment Orders

The organisation also claims it has been working with MPs to table amendments to extend the reach of Rent Repayment Orders.

It also warns that it wants tenant protections for those on low incomes when landlords receive grants to improve the energy efficiency of their home.

Writing in Inside Housing recently, Parissa Zand, the research and policy manager at Generation Rent, said that tenants must be protected from ‘landlord need’ eviction for six years after retrofit works are delivered.

That is so, she says, tenants can enjoy the benefits of the grant to deliver energy bill savings.

In the article, Ms Zand also calls for better council funding to carry out enforcement action to ensure landlords meet the EPC C rating standard by 2030.


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Desert Rat

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4:48 AM, 20th January 2025, About 4 weeks ago

If you gave your property to your tenant for free, generation rant would still want more. They would probably expect you to pay for their utility bills as well.

Other than the UK Government they, along with Shelter are probably one of the biggest causes of homelessness in the UK. They are all probably driving landlords and new investors out of the idea of owning UK property.

I've never had any free energy upgrades on any of my houses paid from tenants benefits. Most of my tenants are not on benefits, and for a very good reason.

I've always done all sensible energy saving upgrades after buying a house to save tenants money, but I refuse to spend several years rent on something that will save the tenant a few hundred pounds over the year and will never in my lifetime pay back the investment and i'd just sell and invest the money elsewhere.

Chepstow Landlord

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13:10 PM, 20th January 2025, About 4 weeks ago

Here comes the next bandwagon for GR & Shelter to attach their flags to after successfully lobbying for section 21 removal.
it'll be "greedy landlords taking advantage by demanding excessive rent rises" is the cause of homelessness. So onto lobbying the Govt for rent controls regardless of the additional costs that the LL are facing.

Stella

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17:02 PM, 20th January 2025, About 4 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Chepstow Landlord at 20/01/2025 - 13:10
It can only get worse.

Dame Karen Buck (ex labour anti-landlord MP) was recently appointed Chair of Generation Rent.
Pennycook used to work in Parliament as an assistant to Karen Buck.

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