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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.”
Jessie Jones
9:23 AM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
The Renters Reform Bill will not provide one single new home for anyone to let. It is a complete red herring.
What it will do is reduce the amount of new homes being built, thereby making it more difficult for people to find a home.
Martin
9:54 AM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
I find myself saddened by the entire thing.
There is no incentive to become a landlord at the moment and no reason to remain a landlord.
So even with just natural wastage as people retire the sector is dwindling. Add to this such things as the Renters Reform bill which merely accelerates peoples exit plans. The PRS as it is today is collapsing.
It is simply becoming too hard for those with one or two houses and another job. Medium size portfolio landlords like myself are realising that future problems with tenants will be long drawn out and even more costly.
Add in rising mortgage costs , comedy EPC recommendations to achieve higher grades and a ridiculous tax structure. Why on earth would we carry on?
As always people like Polly Neate miss the point completely.
We don't have to be landlords, IT IS OUR MONEY and we can invest or spend it as we choose.
Make it hard, awkward, complicated and costly and we will leave the sector. Many of us, myself included, already are.
Good Landlords have everything to fear. Rogue landlords have nothing to fear, because you don't know who or where they are!
Sue Steel
10:37 AM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Alexandra at 12/06/2023 - 21:51
I have also challenged Shelter on FB about a dramatic claim used in their fund raising. There is nothing on their website as background and they refused to answer my questions asking for more details of that case, instead telling me to email and they would pass my request on to that client's management team. I didn't bother.
I also had several aggressive replies from random people telling me that Shelter is a charity and I should leave them alone.
Alexandra
11:49 AM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sue Steel at 17/06/2023 - 10:37
I have heard rumours that Shelter plant people to apply for houses to see if landlords break the No DSS in adverts rule - obviously I do not know if this is true or not - but I would not be surprised it the aggressive replies are from associates of Shelter - they have a business (oh so sorry - charity) worth millions to protect
Monty Bodkin
12:26 PM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Alexandra at 17/06/2023 - 11:49
https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/no_dss_five_leading_letting_agents_risk_breaking_discrimination_law
"Five of England’s leading letting agents actively discriminate against tenants on housing benefit, according to a new report by Shelter and the National Housing Federation (NHF).
In an undercover investigation carried out by Mystery Shoppers Ltd. 149 regional letting agent branches were called by researchers posing as prospective tenants."
Gromit
12:43 PM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Juan Degales at 17/06/2023 - 08:51I notice from previous threads that Shelter actively duck the question of Shelter acting as guarantors for their angelic Clients.
Come on Polly put your money, sorry donors money, where your mouth is. Put up or shut up!!
Warren
13:57 PM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Polly is living on another planet. All this new legislation will do is punish the good landlords, who like myself will decide, enough is enough and leave the sector. The very few bad landlords will ignore the legislation anyway. Huge rental property shortages loom.
Martin S
18:57 PM, 17th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Having been a Landlord for over 30 years, and on the whole trouble free (1 x Section 21), I think that I must have been doing things correctly during this time, and most tenants, past & present, would see me/us as a friend. In fact, we still keep in touch with some of the previous tenants.
How has this been possible? By being extra careful about who we have as tenants, who are normally vetted initially by Agents (Worth the cost), before we get to meet them. Plus, there have been some other golden rules we've developed over time, that others will recognise, even though this Government is trying to ride rough shod over LL's and some of their well learnt strategies.
The 1st one is not having tenants on benefits. If the Government is unable/unwilling to properly finance/house these people, then how right is it to create laws forcing people like me to take on such risks, when the business model tells us this is fraught with risks? I've always admired people who do take such risks & make a living out of it, but I have no intention of renting to people in this category, regardless of what any ill conceived law may say.
As for pets, we've always advertised as none permitted, but open to discussion. One couple asked to be able to have a dog, which we declined, as they were both out all day at work (8.00am til 6.00pm = Unfair on any dog), and so a cat was agreed upon, and they have since agreed that common sense prevailed.
Our properties are 1 & 2 bed houses, and children are not the norm (although we do have them), but there is no doubt that children can place a lot of wear & tear on a property, directly & indirectly, and so I understand the reticence of some to not go that route if they can help it.
It's certainly a crossroads for many of us, as to what to do in future, as we're being attacked from all sides, but it's difficult to give up what we've done for so many years, and on the whole enjoyed.
Chet Bartel
3:29 AM, 18th June 2023, About 11 months ago
The tenants in my house do not pay any rent do not even try and are damaging my house. They keep in a pigsty condition so I can not sell the property I have gone down the LTB route and find they are completely useless when it comes to helping landlords. I was actually told my a person from the board that just because they are damaging my house and not paying rent is not a reason to evict them. There words. Then what other reasons are there. I was shocked. I did everything the people at the board told me and apparently they were giving me bad advise. When they finally looked at my case they dismissed it . I have now had to hire legal assistant to handle this.
Laura Delow
6:59 AM, 18th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Well voiced Sophie whoever you are. Thank you for recognising what landlords face with local authorities. I have a lease with Haringey Council for them to place temporary accommodation tenants in & was told I am not to contact the tenants direct, but to always go through them. This is all very well & good but on one occasion we found out from a neighbour (we have a Right to Manage of the block) that one of the tenant's kids had broken the bath panel & there were sharp jagged edges, so I contacted the council to fix this or allow me to arrange access direct with the tenant to get my contractor round, and I was categorically told they would resolve it. It took them 4months to do so! Another time the tenant locked herself out & locked her young baby in & needed an emergency locksmith. She contacted the emergency council line to be told they didn't cover this as she wasn't a council tenant. The neighbour contacted me but because Haringey wouldn't even allow me to be a key holder (HC had changed the locks!) I couldn't help but direc t her to a locksmith that cost her over £400 for emergency callout & lock change. We then found out the HC helpline did cover TA tenants so I helped the tenant pursue HC for reimbursement, which they refused even though it was their mistake for ill advising the tenant. I have many other horror stories of benefit tenants on ASTs & the poor advice they were given & the lack of urgency the Housing Benefit Office has, but I'd end up writing War & Peace.