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9:23 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago 47
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Polly Neate, the chief executive of the housing charity Shelter, says that good landlords have nothing to fear from the Renters’ Reform Bill which could ‘transform the lives of millions’.
Writing in the Sunday Times, Ms Neate says that since the deregulation of private renting in the Housing Act of 1988, the balance of power has been disproportionately skewed against tenants.
And with an ever-growing number of renters over the years, the issue of security has transformed into a pressing concern that demands immediate attention.
She says the Bill aims to address these concerns by providing a comprehensive solution that caters to the essential needs of every tenant – and create a more balanced and secure environment for all parties involved.
Ms Neate said: “The publication of the Renters’ Reform Bill last month was a breakthrough moment for tenants.
“It will drag private renting into the 21st century so that it’s a fit place to live for the one in four families who now rely on it for a home.”
She adds: “Landlords will benefit too.
“A strong bill should drive up standards and stop the minority of negligent landlords from undermining all those who follow the law and work hard to do right by their tenants.
“Similar reforms in Scotland haven’t led to a mass sell-up by private landlords.”
In the Times’ article, Ms Neate says the potential impact of the Bill cannot be overstated and it will provide relief to millions of tenants struggling with housing issues.
She says that from distressed parents dealing with eviction notices during their child’s critical exam period, to tenants suffering severe health problems due to landlords neglecting property maintenance, this new legislation promises significant improvements.
She points to ‘two pivotal changes’: abolishing section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and establishing a mandatory property portal for landlord registration.
Ms Neate writes: “Scrapping no-fault evictions is well overdue. More than 24,000 households were threatened with homelessness under no-fault evictions last year, about a 50% increase on 2021.
“Tenants need protection from having the roof ripped from over their heads for no reason and with barely any notice.
“No responsible landlord need fear the end of section 21.
“If they need to sell their property or move back into it themselves, they will still be able to.”
The Bill will also, she says, give tenants the confidence to address property issues without the fear of losing their homes.
Pointing to Shelter stats, Ms Neate says private renters in England who report substandard living conditions are two and a half times more likely to receive an eviction notice.
The planned property portal will simplify the process for landlords to understand their obligations and allow tenants to verify their landlord’s identity and adherence to legal standards.
The bill also promises more local authority enforcement and prohibiting discriminatory practices against tenants receiving benefits or those with children.
Ms Neate said: “We hope that by the end of the year laws will be in place to protect everyone waking up in an unsafe home today, who is too afraid to ask their landlord to fulfil their responsibilities, from being kicked out for speaking out.
“The housing secretary, Michael Gove, has spoken passionately about the poor conditions and insecurity in private renting, and he has not minced his words in demanding change.”
She adds: “But those bold words must now be matched with bold action from his fellow MPs.
“No loopholes can be allowed to open for unfair evictions to continue by the back door once section 21 is abolished.”
Whiteskifreak Surrey
9:37 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Polly is surely living in those "sunny uplands".
Zero understanding of reality.
paul robinson
9:40 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Well I’m a GOOD landlord (WAS) but thanks to all this my 20 year old business is no more – my GOOD HMO tenants who have sadly had to leave see no point in this legislation!!
Not just the scrapping S21 that will majorly affect on HMO landlords and their decent tenants, but also the ludicrous 1 size doesn’t fit all initial periodic tenancy that will decimate the student fixed term AST market along with plenty of young professional group shared HMO that have also successfully operated this way for at least 20 years…providing decent & affordable shares rentals allowing young professionals to save to but their own home!
Since 2019 public consultation this government has blatantly ignore the HMO sub-sectors and clearly gone out of their way to not only ignore HMO landlords feedback, but refuse to publish this, or even include/recognise the Word HMO in an meaningful sense.
Sadly this approach seems very apparent across all areas of government and I for one will be happy when no longer a landlord and subject to such political c@ap!!
Sadly my exit really doesn’t benefit my decent tenants who have had to move or the future ones that I could have provided quality shared professional accommodation if this government had not been so clueless and frankly corrupt!
geester24
9:50 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
The 'no fault eviction' S21 thing is completely misleading. Most landlords who use this can't be bothered with S8 and just want rid ASAP because the tenant is not paying or is trouble/wants to sell. Surely the revenge eviction process stops landlords evicting a tenant who rightfully complains about repairs but the councils don't use it. Why would a landlord want to evict a good tenant. It is beyond me.I can guess that the new process to evict a bad tenant will not be speeded up or made easier than S8 is already. The elephant in the room is if a Labour/Lib govt decide to give the mayor the right to freeze rents. If so many good landlords will put up rents in the run up to avoid becoming vulnerable in a new system that will resemble the old regulated tenancies and we're back to the future. If only I had a flux capacitor.
Alexandra
9:52 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
It may protect a few decent tenants who find themselves at the mercy of a rogue Landlord. It will protect a large number of rogue tenants who will sit in a property not paying rent and running up £1000's in debt and destroying that property whilst the Landlord goes through the expensive, time consuming and not fit for purpose court system to repossess that property. But it will render thousands of families homeless as many Landlords sell up before the deadline and prevent those families and many future tenants from securing a property at all as rents skyrocket, supply plummets and Landlords become very choosy about who they rent to if they choose to remain in the market at all.
I received a sad email the other day from a local family asking if I had a3+ bed property available as the Landlord was selling the house they had been in for 15 years due to tax and legislation changes by our incompetent Government. They told me there were no houses locally to rent available and they were very scared and were effectively being forced out of the community they had lived in since their children were babies. Well done Mr Gove.
Chris @ Possession Friend
10:27 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Good landlords have BAD tenants to fear, which Shelter and this Renters Reform legislation support.
You've only got to ask what could the rationale be for Doubling the period a Tenant can remain in Default of rent before instigating proceedings.
Govt are treating landlords like a private rental 'piggy-bank'
Janet Carnochan
11:14 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Polly says similar reforms have NOT led to a mass exodus of landlords in Scotland. Wonder where she did her research. I am a Scottish landlord. If a property of mine became vacant I would not relet but I would sell, I know many other Scottish landlords in the same situation. With an addition 6% stamp duty many aren't buying. People aren't even buying properties to do up and flip because the extra stamp duty in killing that. Trying to get a rental property in Scotland is like trying to find hens teeth. All landlords are quoting section 24 and the difficulties of trying to get rid of bad tenants since the recent reforms.
Martin
11:26 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Surely the point here is that rogue landlords don't comply with existing legislation so why would they comply with new legislation?
As My properties come up they will now be sold.
35 less houses to rent in my area.
After 18 years Elvis is about to leave the building!
Yvonne Francis
11:32 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
'She says that from distressed parents dealing with eviction notices during their child’s critical exam period'
'this new legislation promises significant improvements.'
What exactly is Polly Talking about? Students are usually on a fixed term of one year or slightly less, so students can't be evicted. The fixed term adequately covers their terms and their exams. It's the abolishing of these fixed terms in the PRS which is so disastrous, and could lead to landlords evicting tenants during their exams!
Monty Bodkin
11:36 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
“Similar reforms in Scotland haven’t led to a mass sell-up by private landlords.”
https://www.propertymark.co.uk/resource/cost-of-living-tenant-protection-scotland-letting-agent-insight-april-2023.html
94 per cent of agents told us they
were seeing an increase in landlords selling
Reluctant Landlord
11:59 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Yvonne Francis at 12/06/2023 - 11:32
i think she means when kids still at home when the parents are issued with a S21 /S8 and it happens to be in exam season for GCSE/A levels.
Next thing possession will be deemed 'unfair' over Easter, Xmas, Eid, Passover a family funeral, a divorce, an operation, a holiday.... where does it end exactly?
If a LL wants possession, he/she gives legally agreed notice - end of! Legal requirement ticked. Its based on LL need, not when best timed for tenant.
We provide housing, nothing else!