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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.”
Alexandra
21:51 PM, 12th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Claire Smith at 12/06/2023 - 21:31
I challenged shelter on their facebook adverts and found myself blocked - they tend to be allergic to the truth as it does not fit with their warped narrative
Barbaracus
10:05 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Please sign this: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/638746
David Houghton
11:09 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Alexandra at 12/06/2023 - 21:51
Their staff were also at risk of homelessness as shelter would not give them a pay rise. You could not make it up
JeggNegg
12:32 PM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 12/06/2023 - 18:15
very sad shelter cannot provide honest data.
thanks again for your links
JeggNegg
12:39 PM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Claire Smith at 12/06/2023 - 21:31
or they don't have any hard evidence, and assume readers would accept what ever they say as 'okay' and must be true!
we need to challenge every statistic they state to support any point they are trying to make. i believe if false or inaccurate stats are used the message is probably untrue, or they do not understand the truth.
Tony Johnson
16:06 PM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Mz Polly Neate, is not an expert in tje field of property or housing otherwise she wouldn't make such blatantly false statements.
Neate is a Marxist activist as ate all these si called Renter's charities.
They have, like so many charities, been infiltrated by the long march socialist lunatics of the post Blair levelling down.
They are more concerned with destroying capitalism and private property ownership and the redistribution of wealth grom those strivers to the shirkers dragging down genuine tenants with them.
"Good Landlords have nothing to fear grom this bill"
Then withdraw the bill and replace it with a bill that covers nad landlords rather than make everyone tje subject of a punishment.
If legislation is removing basic property ownership rights. The fundamental right of free market economies and free Western democraciesm The fundamental right that is laid down in both written constitutions, Bill of rights and Civil & Common Law across the West, then that is very much something to fear and not just landlords but every property owner in England.
How about approaching itvfrom a different angle.
Good Tenants have nothing to fear about AST and the existing system.?
I am all for extending the notice period on tenancies (for good tenants that have paid the tent on time, looked after the property and not breached their agreement)
Im sure that many Landlords would be ok with 4 or 6 months notice period for no fault evictions for good tenants with a giod track record who've been resident for a couple of years, to give them more peace of mind. Provided that the tenant's notice period for termination also increases proportionately.
But all this should be up to the parties to the contract to agree not the government and political activist groups masquerading as "charities".
Like all commercial contracts, as long as both parties agree, without duress, to a legally drafted agreement, then that agreement should be valid under law and the government should not be involved with stipulations on terms that are within the law.
Neate is ingenious and she and her colleagues will never be satisfied until Tenants have full rights of ownership of other people's property or nationalisation of all residential property.
This bill is atrocious by any standards but for a so called conservative government to be implementing it is truly shocking.
The precedent it will set across all sectors and all commercial contracts especially with the Labour party about to be installed, who want everything even harder and faster, should send shudders down the spine of everyone who thought they were living in a free market Western democracy.
My advice to Landlords is to sell up and get out now because given the apalling state of the court system, you could be waiting years and incurring untold amounts of money just to get possession of your own properties.
The government have taken a one sided, woke approach to this bill to make Landlords take the hit and to cover up for years of mismanagement of housing policy, not building enough houses, selling of already in short supply council houses l, whilst continuing to enact a policy of open borders immigration.
Its time we Landlords sent them a message back and showed them the consequences of this bill and the consequence of their not bothering to think things through.
And it's time these tenants "charities" and activist groups have to explain to their members why their ideas are making the lives of good tenants far worse not better.
Desmond
17:17 PM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
CBI Pizza Co want to offer us pizzas at a price we can afford, so they lobby for the populace to fund the housing of their imported workforce, which is obviously reasonable. But the workers should not have the choice of staying in a grubby flat above a kebab shop in Chingford, no that would be inhumane of us. This is the UK, not Qatar. They must stay somewhere nice at a high cost. What do you mean, you don't like pizza? Stop complaining, you live in a democracy!
Ian Narbeth
14:50 PM, 14th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Barbaracus at 13/06/2023 - 10:05
Whilst I agree that it is a bad move to abolish s21, the wording of the petition will not persuade a single MP who has not already made his or her mind up to support it.
Simon Orr
7:28 AM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
So why are LL selling up in their droves if it’s so good ! Reap as you sow springs to mind. I visited a home that was being sold by the LL
Lady with 3 children, the council offered her a hostel ! This is like the workhouse of last century!
Juan Degales
8:51 AM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
“ Good landlords have nothing to fear “
How about tenants not paying rent,antisocial behaviour, trashing property ,unfair taxes and stamp duty. A friend recently recounted a £25,000 bill for wanton damage , £3,000 legal fees, and the perpetrator just walked away,no comeback,no police interest , just moved on to do it again.And yes you Polly , demonising us as public enemies.Take away or address these fears and perhaps landlords will not sell up.