The Renters (Reform) Bill will harm tenants and landlords, warns property expert

The Renters (Reform) Bill will harm tenants and landlords, warns property expert

0:01 AM, 8th February 2024, About 3 months ago 27

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A property expert is warning that the Renters (Reform) Bill, which aims to end no-fault evictions and improve security for tenants, will have negative consequences for both tenants and landlords.

Chris Daniel, who has more than 20 years of experience in the property sector, said that the Bill will make it harder for landlords to regain possession of their properties in cases of rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, or damage.

He says that the current possession process is already ineffective and does not provide adequate means for property owners to control the misuse of their private properties.

And he warns that the bill will only worsen the situation by removing Section 21, which allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason if they provide two months’ notice.

‘Increase the cost of rented homes’

Mr Daniel of Possession Friend, a service that helps landlords with eviction cases, told Property118: “The Renters (Reform) Bill will reduce the supply and increase the cost of rented homes in the UK.

“Fewer properties will be available and rents will rise.”

He added: “If only tenants could realise the impending consequences that will affect them.”

Mr Daniel also debunked the accusation of landlords profiting by rent increases, saying that tribunals often award a higher rent than that challenged by tenants.

The portrayal of landlords in the media

However, Mr Daniel also criticises the portrayal of landlords in the media as being either anti-landlord and biased – or uninformed and misled by tenant campaign groups.

He says that coverage of the private rented sector needs to be reported by journalists with a ‘straight bat’.

Mr Daniel also highlights the shortage of housing, the gaming tactics of local authorities and the flawed Universal Credit system as being major issues for landlords to deal with.

There are also issues with tenants who ‘game the system’.

The shortage of rental accommodation

Mr Daniel also argues that the shortage of rental accommodation is not due to private landlords buying up housing stock, but down to councils and governments failing to meet tenant demand.

He outlined the gaming tactics of local authorities, such as deceiving private landlords on benefit placements, or advising tenants to breach possession orders, incur costs, and sustain a CCJ.

He also says that the government is effectively supporting councils to transfer their responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour onto landlords via licensing schemes.

Mr Daniel adds that landlords are also not discriminating against tenants on benefit, but it is the flawed Universal Credit system that landlords avoid, as it causes delays and uncertainties in payments.


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Comments

JB

14:43 PM, 8th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Here Here. You're exactly right

Ian Narbeth

14:46 PM, 8th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 08/02/2024 - 14:19
More like £3200 a month for some of the London developments Mick!

Ian Narbeth

14:49 PM, 8th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 08/02/2024 - 14:40
Paradoxically, it may be best for the RRB to become law before the Election. Then it is done. Labour won't have to re-open it and will have plenty of other things to do.

If the Bill isn't passed, Labour will pick it up and may gold-plate it and make things even worse for landlords.

Kerry Jackman

17:55 PM, 8th February 2024, About 3 months ago

As exemplary tenants that moved into a long term let (5yr plus) that had to sign a 6month agreement to start, due to landlord having bad tenants previously, but has had to find another new home 5 months in, due to landlord deciding to sell, I welcome the getting rid of section 21.
If you have a crap tenant that destroys the property or is anti social, that is what section 8 is for.
The money we have spent on the property and garden that had been neglected, is lost. Which if it was a 3 year rental or more that would be acceptable in creating our home and bringing it up to an acceptable level. But 6 months?! Just increased it's curb appeal for prospective buyers. We were totally duped. And now another 2k on movers plus all the associated costs of new curtains and such to fit new property.
It is totally unfair and it happens to too many good tenants.
Landlords don't seem to understand they are messing with people's lives.
I am lucky my husband earns so well otherwise we would not have had the money to move again so soon.

Monty Bodkin

19:54 PM, 8th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Kerry Jackman at 08/02/2024 - 17:55
You do realise there is a new mandatory ground in the bill that allows a landlord to evict if they decide to sell after 6 months?

So you would be in exactly the same position as now but with even less properties to choose from at higher rents and a lot more tenant checks. With the added risk you could have new neighbours from hell that no landlord can evict as the ASB possession grounds are completely useless.

If you want a guaranteed secure long tenancy then negotiate and pay for it, you can't have your cake and eat it.

Mick Roberts

5:45 AM, 9th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 08/02/2024 - 14:46
Yes, I was trying to be favorable towards them. Even favorable puts these Build to Rents out of touch for most.

Mick Roberts

5:50 AM, 9th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Kerry Jackman at 08/02/2024 - 17:55
In the real world, most tenants won't observe 3 year tenancies if they don't want to.

I used to think same as u Why give this person notice? There are so many reasons. But this is why tenants cannot get anywhere & getting worse. Cause that Landlord & the next Landlord don't know if he will ever get his house back, so he/she not giving 'em a house to start with. I have dozens of tenants been with me over 20 years. I told em they had a house for life. Not any more with Council making me do courses at 4am.

Fed Up Landlord

10:58 AM, 9th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Kerry Jackman at 08/02/2024 - 17:55
Try and get a Section 8 discretionary ground for ASB or breach of tenancy past a judge. In a politicised justice system that favours the tenant then it just won't work. Neighbours will not provide evidence if the perpetrator lives nearby as it will be obvious who has supplied it with all the repercussions that will take place. Been there, done that, got the busted up flat to show for it. Tenants boyfriend was threatening to burn a block of ten flats down - twice. Police couldn't do anything as tenant would not put pen to paper and neither would neighbours. Section 21 was the only option.

JB

11:21 AM, 9th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Kerry Jackman at 08/02/2024 - 17:55
This is obviously far from ideal for you and I'm sorry you have to move so soon. Landlords generally want tenants who pay the rent, look after the property and aren't anti-social to stay long term - the longer the better. Its a myth that landlords give notice willy nilly, there is always a reason. It may be that your landlord has had an unexpected change of circumstances or that the changes planned (including the withdrawal of Section 21) has scared your landlord into giving notice while he's still able to, to regain possession of his property.
The Renters Reform Bill has to be the worst piece of legislation for tenants and if Labour get in expect total anililation of the rental market. I really feel for tenants who will all be so badly affected.

PAUL BARTLETT

16:15 PM, 9th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 08/02/2024 - 14:13
Mr Gove's cunning plan: "Let's stab our most loyal supporters in the back 'cos they will vote for us anyway..

Nope that's not going to happen.

The combination of Gormless George and Feckless Grove means they are dead men walking.

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