Labour plans government funded Renters’ Union

Labour plans government funded Renters’ Union

9:15 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago 31

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Shadow Housing Minister, John Healey, is expected to announce a raft of new, and some existing, tenant legislation the Labour party are proposing at their party conference should they find themselves in government.

The stand out plan expected to be unveiled is a £20m fund for a ‘Renters’ union’ to assist tenants in disputes with their landlords.

It has been leaked to the press that John Healey will say in his speech to conference:

“Labour’s commitment is clear. We’ll give renters new rights to control rental costs, improve conditions and increase security. Renters’ unions help put power in the hands of tenants.

“The next Labour government will fund set-up costs for these unions across the country to support renters to defend their rights, and make the housing market fairer.”

The proposed policies to increase ‘renters security’ for the next Labour Party manifesto would include:

  • Government funded renters’ Union
  • Giving cities the power to introduce rent controls (rent controls have long been a popular Labour policy)
  • Introducing three year tenancies (considered previously and since put on ice by the Tory government)
  • Reversing cuts to legal aid for housing related cases
  • New minimum legal standards to ensure homes are “fit for human habitation” (these powers already exist for local authorites with potential fines of up to £30,000 per breach and banning orders)
  • Banning letting agent fees (already proposed as new legislation)

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Comments

Larry Sweeney

9:22 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

The clock is ticking. Time for a new national landlord organisation. Current bodies who cozy up to councils ,even dedicating part of their websites for their local authority pals , no longer fit for purpose.

David Lester

9:52 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

We as Landlords need to do something, or just sell up!

Clint

9:58 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

I think Mark Alexander is the right guy for forming such a Landlords Union that will fight back. I read through his article on this a few days ago and I think with some refinement it can be done if it is somehow possible to contact all the landlords. NLA & RLA are absolutely useless in this respect.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

10:07 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

Government-funded.... That means every taxpayer will be funding this group, regardless the fact that - percentage wise - the tenants are not even a majority / significant group, and lots of them do not even contribute to the treasury. How can that be right? This is getting really dangerous, if Comrade Corbynov is going to be involved. Obviously a vote buyer initiative. What is even more dangerous is the fact that Tories alienated Landlords, and lots of them are not going to vote for Conservatives anymore (us included) - giving even more room for Labour. The whole picture, completed with Brexshit is really a very sorry one... I wonder whether to pack up, sell everything and go elsewhere where situation is a bit more normal (and moral)...

Simon Williams

10:14 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

This all sounds quite mild compared to what I thought they would be proposing. Giving cities powers on rent controls instead of just rolling it out across the whole country for example. Renter's Union? Fine with me. Right now a tenant gets advice from CAB or Shelter, in future the Renter's Union perhaps - but I doubt most tenants are going to shell out much money every year just to be a member. Can't see it having a major impact.
That said, all these policies will be just the start if Corbyn gets in. I assume we will also get mandatory licensing for all landlords, the entire removal of all mortgage tax relief and surely also the removal of section 21. Not a happy prospect.

Rod

10:18 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

They're chasing votes. I've said it before, I'll say it again, write/email straight to the top i.e. the minister in charge. I do it all the time, they must be sick to death of me! Remember, 'people never like their own medicine', how true, they can dish it out but don't like it back! I'm sure they all feel L/Ls are mainly to blame for homelessness 'wrong' I've said this before too - 'housing benefit paid to tenant = rent not paid on = eviction = homelessness', it's strange, this is 'never' mentioned ! Everybody write to John quick!

Monty Bodkin

10:26 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Simon Williams at 24/09/2018 - 10:14
I doubt most tenants are going to shell out much money every year just to be a member.

I think the idea is that all taxpayers pay for this, not the tenants.

They are also wanting to scrap 'no fault' section 21 evictions.
-Failing to realise there is nearly always 'a fault' for a landlord to go through the lengthy and costly eviction process.

AlanR

10:29 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

More vote-catching tactics from Corbyn & Co. If they get in power they'll wreck the economy within 3 years. Corbyn and McDonald have been dreaming all their lives about turning the UK into some kind of communist state, heaven help us if they get in!!

Laura Delow

11:01 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 24/09/2018 - 10:26
I'm sure it read the funds for this union formation will be funded through a levy on Landlord's/their properties as per recommendations from research done by IPPR.

Rod

11:16 AM, 24th September 2018, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Alan R at 24/09/2018 - 10:29All very true. If they get in, businesses will do a runner and so may I ! It's the same old story, when an economy is in difficulty an opportunist 'hero' comes along who says they can put it all right, sad fact is, people believe it. Take a look at recent history - Europe in the 1930s!

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