Tenants in arrears need protection under the Renters (Reform) Bill – debt charities
2 years ago | 15 comments
NRLA and Crisis team up to demand Renters (Reform) Bill update
11:45 AM, 15th March 2024, 2 years ago
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The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has teamed up with the homelessness charity Crisis to urge clarification on the future of the Renters (Reform) Bill.
The call comes after media speculation that the Bill is ‘on the brink of collapse’ and that backbench MPs have forced various amendments.
In a letter to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the organisations express concern about ‘rumour, speculation and a litany of off-the-record briefings’ surrounding potential amendments to the Bill.
The Bill, which is described as the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in more than 30 years, aims to improve security for tenants.
Uncertainty for both renters and responsible landlords
However, the lack of concrete details about proposed changes is causing ‘a huge amount of concern and uncertainty’ for both renters and responsible landlords, the NRLA and Crisis say.
The letter urges the government to publish any amendments under consideration ‘as a matter of urgency and in full’.
This transparency would allow all parties involved to analyse the proposals and participate in a productive public debate.
Highlighting the destabilising impact of the ongoing uncertainty, the NRLA and Crisis argue that ‘time is running out’ for proper Parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill.
They call for an end to the current situation, emphasising the need for clarity in the public interest.
The letter is published below:
Dear Secretary of State,
The Renters (Reform) Bill represents the biggest set of changes to the private rented sector for over 30 years. It is vital that it supports tenants and responsible landlords and prevents homelessness.
Over recent weeks a number of media reports have suggested that the Government is considering amendments to the Bill.
The rumour, speculation and a litany of off-the record briefings are causing a huge amount of concern and uncertainty for tenants and responsible landlords.
We therefore call on the Government to publish, as a matter of urgency and in full, any amendments it might now be considering so that all parties can judge for themselves what is on the table and debate the substance in public. Time is running out to ensure that this Bill can complete its passage through Parliament with the proper consideration it deserves.
The lack of progress and uncertainty about the future is destabilising and damaging for those living and working in the private-rented sector. This has to end. In light of the public interest in this matter we plan to make this letter public.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, National Residential Landlords Association
Matt Downie, Chief Executive, Crisis
Tags:
crisis, Debt Advice Charities and Housing, homelessness, Landlords, NRLA, Renters Reform Bill, Renters Reform Bill Protections, renting, Repayment Plans for Rent Arrears, Tenant Rent Arrears Support, UK Housing
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Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
5:27 PM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Lordship at 15/03/2024 – 15:25
NRLA are a company which exists to make money off and from its members, not serve or consult them.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 4
8:12 PM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
The ‘No Fault Eviction’ is totally the wrong interpretation. It should be ‘End of contract closure’ as there is an agreement between landlord and tenant and at teen of the contract both will decide if they want to continue.Section 21 give nearly all the rights of the house to the tenant who may have just paid between rent and deposit around £1,000 while the landlord have paid Several hundred of thousands pounds. The landlord has to be an idiot to agree with the abolition of this section. Hence, half of the small landlords have taken their properties from the renting market and tenants are desperate looking for accommodation. I had 102 enquiries for a small apartment just few months ago. Just imagine what will be like for good tenants to find the accommodation and the amount of credit checks and guarantors that they will need in future!
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 985 - Articles: 2
10:17 PM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 15/03/2024 – 14:39
If the Conservatives rush it through as being demanded by NRLA / Crisis, what’s the difference?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
7:28 AM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 15/03/2024 – 22:17
At least the conservatives have said it wont go ahead without reform to the courts service
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 40
9:38 AM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Hi. First time poster, long time reader and medium term housing provider here. I use the term “housing provider” as landlord has become a dirty, tarnished word.
I have to agree with people regarding the NRLA. They no longer represent members interests. I have stuck with them however as I like their portfolio portal, the access to documents, the magazine and weekly news email. Following the recent developments and their stance I will now be cancelling my membership.
I have filled in the quarterly survey and expressed my displeasure with their campaigning and stance.
With regard to the RRB amendments which are mentioned in this NRLA news article, I have managed to secure the draft. One (of many) amendments is by MP Matthew Pennycook. He recommends section 8, rent arrears be moved from a mandatory ground to a discretionary one. So, in effect, paying rent becomes optional. I do wonder where such people dream up these ideas? As people here have stated before, if such amendments are tabled surely mortgage payments, payments for food, gas/electric, water, petrol/diesel should be discretionary too?
It really is a sad state of affairs at the moment.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 616
1:06 PM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Liam at 16/03/2024 – 09:38
Spot on!
It will end very badly for everyone and the NRLA have also recently confirmed that even if we need to sell our property that vacant possession might not be a mandatory ground.
Every time that I have heard the NRLA speak about this in the past I got the impression that possession when we needed to sell would be a mandatory ground.
Leaving this to a Judge to decide means we will completely loose control of our assets.
Furthermore if we have to sell a property with a sitting tenant ( even if we can find a buyer) there is no reason to suppose that it will be any different to the pre 1988 housing act where tenanted properties were sold for about half the market value.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 11
1:22 PM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Ben Beadle and the NRLA representing UK landlords is a bit like having Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin in charge of the UKs Defence, Beadle is the enemy within, all landlords should boycott the NRLA and cancel their subscriptions.
Member Since April 2015 - Comments: 468
1:39 PM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Miserable Old Git at 16/03/2024 – 13:22
You could not be more precise.
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
2:56 PM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Stella at 16/03/2024 – 13:06
Selling at half the price, to the existing Tenant – is exactly what this Faux Socialist Government and the Lefty opposition want Landlords to do. !
Its sequestration of private property, otherwise known as ‘ Daylight Robbery ‘
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 616
3:28 PM, 16th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 16/03/2024 – 07:28
Dont believe everything that Mr Gove says.
His track record is not good!