Are councils profiteering from landlords struggling to sell empty properties?
1 year ago | 36 comments
Labour cracks down on landlords forcing them to rent out empty properties
9:44 AM, 18th December 2024, 1 year ago
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Landlords could be forced to rent out empty properties under new powers announced by the Labour government.
The English Devolution White Paper reveals councils will be given powers to take over vacant rental properties.
The plans lack detail about the specific new powers but are expected to resemble Labour’s recently introduced High Street Rental Auctions scheme.
The scheme allows councils to auction off empty shops that have been vacant for over 365 days within a 24-month period.
Strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant properties
The English Devolution White Paper says: “We will strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant residential premises and introduce large selective licensing schemes to improve conditions in the private rental sector, without requiring the Secretary of State’s approval.”
The plans come after the Labour government announced plans for a “devolution revolution” to put power back into local communities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, says the English Devolution White paper will create big changes that put power back in local hands.
She said: “Our English Devolution White Paper will be a turning point when we finally see communities, people and places across England begin to take back control over the things that matter to them.
“When our proud towns and cities are once again given the powers they need to drive growth and raise living standards as part of our Plan for Change.
“It’s a plan for putting more money in people’s pockets, putting politics back in the service of working people and a plan for stability, investment and reform, not chaos, austerity and decline, that will deliver a decade of national renewal.
“Devolution will no longer be agreed at the whim of a Minister in Whitehall, but embedded in the fabric of the country, becoming the default position of government.”
Scandal of empty properties in London
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has been urging councils to take action on the “scandal” of empty properties across the capital.
According to Mr Khan, around 30,000 homes currently lie vacant in London. He has previously called on Ministers to ease restrictions on Empty Dwelling Management Orders, which allow councils to temporarily take over empty homes but have become more limited in recent years.
Tags:
Angela Rayner, councils, devolution revolution, empty properties, English Devolution White Paper, High Street Rental Auctions, housing reform, labour, Landlords, local communities, Property management, sadiq khan, Selective Licensing, vacant homes
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Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2205 - Articles: 2
2:02 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
Two actions by government would considerably alleviate the housing problem:
Revert to the 1988 act and repeal most of the subsequent anti landlord legislation.
Pay landlords direct and in full for benefit tenants, by default.
In addition, it might be a good idea to get some of the undersized rooms back into use.
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 402
2:13 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
Look on the bright side! Example. A LL takes out a loan to repair a trashed property. The property sits empty during renovation so the council step in and help themselves. The LL has no income to repay the loan so his home is confiscated. The LL is then homeless but ‘hey’ the LL is then given someone else’s empty property to live in which happens to be a palace!! Lovely!!
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 281
5:23 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 18/12/2024 – 11:31
From what I can make out from the proposed Labour version of the RRB, the ground for owner wishing to move into the property cannot be used in the first twelve months of the tenancy (the same as is proposed for selling).
If this is the case then anyone working away for a year will only be able to serve notice on the date they would be seeking accommodation on their return making leaving the property empty the obvious option
If the RRB does proceed with this it must be just about the most idiotic piece of legislation ever passed.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1508
5:36 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Martin at 18/12/2024 – 10:42
Empty means – you have gone down the road for a loaf of bread and when you come back a family of boat people are living in your property
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1598
5:54 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
This rule would make properties that have been empty for a while virtually unsellable – even at auction.
Imagine suffering the loss of a loved one, spending 8 months waiting for Probate and then having just 4 months left to sell it or risk losing it to Rachel Thieves.
Member Since April 2022 - Comments: 133
7:07 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
How do they know a place is empty? Move a family member in for a short time to pay the council tax and it is no longer empty. They can be there as much as they want.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1508
7:24 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by JamesB at 18/12/2024 – 19:07
As I have previously commented, no need to move a family member in just register a ‘ghost’ tenant – make up any name and pay the council tax.
Member Since December 2024 - Comments: 63
10:54 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
The right to own one’s own property is an absolutely inalienable human right and if this were to no longer be the case then we are living in a communist state where property ownership is regarded as theft and is therefore confiscated by the state and given over to “the people”.
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 24
11:04 PM, 18th December 2024, About 1 year ago
Over my dead body and I mean that, anyone tries to take my property will get an appropriate response.
Member Since February 2017 - Comments: 47
7:41 AM, 21st December 2024, About 1 year ago
“Vacant rental properties” – it’s not clear what this is supposed to mean.
The real problem is ‘landbanking’ – mostly notorious in London, where property is bought by companies and individuals, many from overseas, and left empty, because the land value is certain to increase, and it’s a safe way to store money/assets. Streets of big houses and blocks of flats can be more or less empty because of this.
This is the issue that needs dealing with – not “vacant rental properties”.