Complaining tenants are ‘twice as likely’ to be evicted – Shelter claims
3 years ago | 2 comments
Labour calls for a ‘Renters’ Charter’
10:47 AM, 3rd April 2023, 3 years ago
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Labour MP Diane Abbott appeared on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ today (Monday) to push for a renters’ charter that will help protect tenants.
The segment highlighted that the number of available homes for renting in the UK has dropped by a third in the last 18 months – but rent prices have seen a 20% increase in the last three years.
Now, Ms Abbott is calling on the government to encourage more responsible private landlords.
‘One of the problems of stratospheric rents’
She said: “Rents are stratospheric and one of the problems of stratospheric rents is that a lot of younger people are not going to be able to buy because every penny is going on rent.
“With landlords, we want to encourage good landlords, but we want to bear down on bad landlords.”
When asked what a bad landlord is by the presenter Kate Garraway, Ms Abbott replied: “A bad landlord is somebody that first of all uses the no-fault eviction to get you out, and a bad landlord is someone who puts up the rent every six months, every three months and that is what is causing renters so many problems.
“There’s no certainty because bad landlords just want to exploit the market.”
Government is set to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions
Ms Garraway highlighted that the government is set to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, but Ms Abbott said there was no sign of the legislation.
She added: “It’s not down for debate in Parliament and a Labour government would put an end to no-fault evictions.”
Co-presenter Richard Madeley then asked Ms Abbott about the anecdotal stories of landlords charging potential tenants just to view a property.
Ms Abbott said: “They are now charging just to look at a property, some of them are charging a relatively small amount, £30, but some of them are charging hundreds of pounds.”
Ms Garraway said that a programme journalist had investigated and could find no evidence that landlords are charging potential tenants to view a property, other than in one or two anecdotal cases.
She added that the law, since 2020, has made the paying of these fees illegal and asked Ms Abbott where she was getting her evidence.
Accepted that hers was anecdotal evidence
Ms Abbott accepted that hers was anecdotal evidence and there was no survey evidence but ‘a lot of estate agents’ are saying that tenants are being charged and ‘this is something that needs to be cracked down on’.
Ms Abbott continued: “One of the things a Labour government would do is to bring in a renters’ charter and one of the things that would say is in no circumstances can landlords charge just to view a property.”
The presenter highlighted that there is already a law to prevent this from happening, so there would be no reason to bring in a law to deal with the issue but Ms Abbott replied: “But it doesn’t seem to be biting, does it? Because you hear too much anecdotal evidence, certainly in London, of people charging to view.”
This is the interview on Twitter from Good Morning Britain with Ms Abbott.
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Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
3:52 PM, 14th April 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 13/04/2023 – 10:25
In theory, there should be no need for a separate ‘Charter’ – we have relevant legislation and we have ASTs, contracts which are willingly entered into by both LLs and Ts and which set out the parties’ respective roles, responsibilities and liabilities.
The trouble is, government and the world at large do not seem to expect tenants to comply with their part of the bargain, and allow/encourage non compliance with the law and contract terms, without penalty.
This can have a devastating effect for a landlord, who by far bears the greater financial and legal risk in the arrangement, yet despite being the person who, more often than not, has performed their side of the bargain, is the one punished by the non performance of the tenant – with the support (and arguably collusion) of government, councils, judges and media etc, all of whom effectively contribute to the constant landlord bashing.
I think ‘turning a blind eye’ to non compliance with law/contract terms is setting a very poor example, ultimately leading to a selfish, lawless society.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 977 - Articles: 1
11:26 AM, 18th April 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 14/04/2023 – 15:52
We have become a selfish, lawless socity already.
Stealing from thr landlord (not paying rent) has become socially acceptable.
Not working lifestyle of choice is also acceptable.
I am not sure how many countries in Europe just accepted that non payment of rent is OK, but probably not that many…
My family and friends abroad, in numerous EU countries just cannot believe what is happening here.
Member Since November 2015 - Comments: 4
4:47 PM, 18th April 2023, About 3 years ago
So Diane Abbott is saying that scammers are asking for money to view!!
Keep pressing and pushing back on all channels I have had enough of wishy washy politicians passing on fake sites and blaming us.
Also publicise scammers ask for money to view landlords don’t! include on the tenants sites and shelter etc please
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
7:01 PM, 23rd April 2023, About 3 years ago
Oh thank you lord, she has opened her mouth once too often and has been suspended from the labour party.
Member Since February 2022 - Comments: 88
4:55 PM, 10th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by M K at 03/04/2023 – 11:42
There are so many thick people in parliament: all parties! They don’t know what’s going on and they won’t accept that it us they who are creating the housing shortage by attacking good landlords who then just give up.
They select a few examples from the bad landlords and then attack everyone.
Once I got a good tenant I hoped he would stay and I never raised the rent! Never! Many are like me.
Trouble is the rotten tenant is so heavily backed by authorities that landlords just quit. It is the government that has created the surge in Airbnb!!
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508
5:18 PM, 10th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Diane Abbott MP may seem to us (who think we are normal?) to spew forth the goofiest ideas but have you looked at her history?On any view she has done very well. Immigrant parents, Hackney County School for Girls, Cambridge Uni, Civil Servant Home Office, Westminster Council, beat sitting MP to be selected and then won Islington. Anyone would be proud of that list.
Just noted, time spent on recce is never wasted, so get to know the enemy?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
6:46 PM, 10th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 04/04/2023 – 10:17
Spot on New Yorkie, I have set my rents at £50 less than the median rent for the property (still have 6). Unfortunately I haven’t been increasing them each year (as I should have), so this years increase was on average 9% and next years will be around 6% and that will bring me up to my (subsidised) rent. When they leave I will sell. BTL is now a mugs game, dont delay sell today
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508
7:18 PM, 10th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Just be careful. Recce time never wasted. Ms Abbott went to Cambridge and her career is one to be proud of!
Know your enemy!
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
8:56 AM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Rerktyne at 10/05/2023 – 16:55
Certainly I think there is some truth in saying that the government has created the surge in AirBnB. The government has increased the risk of investing in residential property, increased the costs of doing it and reduced the returns by creating situations where tenants can get away without paying. It is inevitable that AirBnB would become more attractive for many existing landlords.
There’s nothing out there that favours good landlords cooperating with good tenants.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
5:22 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Rerktyne at 10/05/2023 – 16:55
Coincidentally I just got an email from Zoopla sponsored by a company called Houst. It says this:
“Our professional property management services are designed to help you earn more from your rental property than you would with long-term rentals. With our experienced team, tech-powered algorithm, and top platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO, we can bring in maximum occupancy and income for
your property.
Sign up today and benefit from our Rent Guarantee. If you don’t earn more than your current monthly rental rates within 3 months, we’ll refund our commission fee. ”
And it provides this link:
https://www.houst.com/book-a-call-professional?utm_source=propertysite_zoopla&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ZPEMAILINV&utm_content=variant_C&utm_term=body_cta_guarantee_start_earning
If the likes of Dianne Abbott (who I understand from this thread apparently went to Cambridge to do something or other) or anybody who aspires to be in government and stay there for more than 5 minutes is really that smart then they need to be smart enough to see that they need to make being a responsible landlord attractive.