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

AJ

16:22 PM, 4th October 2018, About 6 years ago

I don't understand why people can get it. Most landlords buy a property for better returns than other investments, mainly because of house price rises and the fact you can use other peoples money.

Most landlords offer good quality safe homes and want long term tenants, the more regulation and tax changes there are will force rent up, its that simple. the higher rent will encourage bad landlords, who will ignore legislation.

If the proposed rent caps and end of S21 do appear, there is a very high chance of landlords paying to have tenants live in their property, do you think we will all sit back and say ok then, that seems like a good idea.

No we will sell up, and there will be more homelessness, house prices may take a hit, but not enough for the low earners to buy, and the banks, just in case you were unsure, don't like people with bad credit ratings either, go figure.

The government want big corporations to take over and allow lower rents and lower deposits, but what do you think they will do if people don't pay or wreck the property ?

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