Profile incomplete
9:23 AM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago 47
Text Size
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.”
David Nichols
12:03 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Polly, good landlords fear bad tenants. It's not just the bad payers. It's those that make a landlord's life a misery (mental health) and left with little means to deal with it.
In trying to improve standards and tenants rights you've taken away affordability and choice away from these tenants.
To combat the 5% of bad landlords, you've stigmatised the good ones and lost 20% of them and many more to follow when existing tenants choose to move on the properties will be sold off.
Bad policies with good intentions often have negative unintended consequences.
Only reason the remainder of landlords are stopping is higher yielding rents and cherry picked tenants. How on earth is that a success for Shelter.
Yvonne Francis
13:24 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by DSR at 12/06/2023 - 11:59
Hi Thanks for that correction. My daughter who has access to the whole artical has confirmed that. I've never quite got my head around 'students' applied to school children.
Dylan Morris
15:45 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
One flat now sold subject to contract. Another going on the market when tenant moves out end of next month. Will sit tight with the other two flats until tenants leave as they’re super tenants. But eventual result will be 4 properties removed from the PRS.
PAUL BARTLETT
17:10 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Bit of click bait, but delusional Polly can be relied on for an extreme and non representative view. After all 98% of tenants, with no issues, will not call shelter to complain about the 'unfair' system that expects them to do what they previously agreed in their Tenancy Agreement.
Shame on the mainstream media for giving this charlatan national coverage.
No mention of Section 24 abolition as a trigger for landlord exit and market turmoil to the disadvantage of Tenants so doesn't pass a basic reality check. No understanding that RRB will cause an even bigger exit and rent increase.
Write or speak to your MP before the bill passes to put a stop to Polly's nonsense.
Steph Brownlow
17:25 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
I totally disagree with Polly Neate saying that Landlords have nothing to fear. One is the fear of the EPC having to be brought up to a C. With the inaccuracies of the EPC certificates, Landlords will have to pay thousands of pounds to bring a property which they own up to a standard for someone else to live in , possibltly with a oet, who could well wreck the property, and then when they want thr property back, cannot even evict a tenant. Please remind me, as it is unclear, why the tenant should not contribute ute to this as it will take years for Landlords to recoup the costs back. Sorry but I fail to see how that is benefitting Landlords. I do understand that tenants want a decent property but why not create a register for Landlords, which means that when properties are rented out, they have to be inspected, as they do by an agent. If the agent is happy that the property is clean and fit for purpose, then it can be rented out.
The EPC raring also depends on how efficient the tenant is with heating etc,.
JeggNegg
17:39 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
how many more time times are the 'anti Land Lord ' community going to quote statistics without any evidence supporting their claims.
thank you Monty Bodkin for a link to some independent evidence. i think the comment from Shelter(similar reforms in Scotland haven't led to a mass sell-up by private landlords) and the stats from propertymark re the sales of property in Scotland are at different ends of 0-100%. maybe Shelter can provide some evidence and explanation of their statement, so landlords can understand the point being made please.!
Monty Bodkin
18:15 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
“Similar reforms in Scotland haven’t led to a mass sell-up by private landlords.”
https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/rents-rise-to-new-record-despite-slowed-growth-rightmove/
Regionally, average rents are up both quarterly and annually across all regions of England, Scotland and Wales.
The biggest year-on-year increase was in Scotland, where rents rose 12.3%
Tony Phillips
19:22 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Having been a landlord for over 30 years without any issues or trouble And happy tenents.
I am seriously considering going rouge and off the radar!
I live above the flat I let, so not too difficult
David Houghton
20:43 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Let's just start with the nuisance tenant. Do you expect the neighbours to give evidence of anti social behaviour and wait for 6 months of retaliation, or will the court suddenly accept unverified hearsay as evidence?
No. Definitely time for good landlords, particularly those who take Hb tenants to sell up
Claire Smith
21:31 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Janet Carnochan at 12/06/2023 - 11:14
I challenged their statement (on their Facebook page) that Scottish landlords weren't leaving the sector and asked for evidence as this contradicts The Times and The Herald. I was told to email their Campaign dept. Over 3 weeks later , still no reply. Could that be because the evidence says the opposite?