The Renters’ Rights Bill currently going through Parliament could not be more urgently needed, according to the Green Party MP for Bristol Central.
Carla Denyer says that there is lots to be welcomed in the Bill. From the outlawing of section 21 evictions, the creation of a new Decent Homes Standard (helping to clarify requirements and establish a level playing field), to ending the plague of poor-quality homes and giving renters safer places to live.
But there is, in Denyer’s view, plenty that the legislation leaves out – and she is worried that we are about to miss an opportunity to transform the experience of renting a home.
Writing for The Metro, she said: “Crucially, the Labour government does little to tackle the eye-watering cost of renting. In 10 years, average monthly UK rents have almost doubled – and you only need to check your bank balance to tell you that wages have not.”
She continued: “The legislation is not perfect – so I have put forward an amendment to create a system of rent controls, to prevent tenants being treated as cash cows by landlords, and instead ensure everyone can afford a safe, secure and comfortable home.
“My amendment would set up an independent body that would calculate what the proposed rent should be, looking at things like the location and size of the property, average incomes and/or local rents in the area.
“There’s a lot of misinformation about how rent controls work, but in reality they’re an established part of private renting in 16 European countries.
“The UK is lagging behind – and as a result private rents (as a share of disposable income) are less affordable here than in any other European country apart from Norway and Luxembourg. Not only that, homes in England are in worse condition too.
“There are other ways the new Bill needs strengthening. I’ve argued for a two-year protection period from evictions where a landlord needs to move in or sell, to encourage landlords to plan more carefully given the huge personal impact on tenants who are evicted.”
“I’ve also proposed an amendment to help stop illegal evictions by increasing maximum fines to £60,000, and trying to make it easier for renters to get some of their rent paid back to them following an illegal eviction,” she added. “I’m really excited by the possibilities of the Renters’ Rights Bill because it’s high time the government took action to protect renters. Until now, they have been at the mercy of the wild west of the private rental market.”
“But I don’t want to let a golden opportunity to truly revolutionise renting slip between our fingers. It’s plain for everyone to see that rents are too high, and any sensible government would curb this excess for the good not just of renters but the whole economy.”
Rental reform plans risk making access to housing harder – agents voice concerns
Has anyone in the government got a calculator-Anyone with a mortgage and/or leasehold will be struggling to turn a net profit.
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Government should allow a landlord to offset their interest costs. Tax should only be on the profit like any other business or investment. If you have a property that is let, then you should also be able to move your own main residence without paying second home tax. Many people have a reason they cant sell, but do need to move(cladding issues etc) The tax man is the one making the money. Change a few things and the pressure on rent rises just to break even is relieved.
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Most likely to agree or acknowledge that Labours govern ing of the country so far a disappointment if not disastrous. Amendments to & implementation of the Renters Rights Bill one can be assured more Landlords exiting.
The government needs to provide suitable rental accommodation for tenants (somehow?) & also assist private landlords who take the risk of investment & offer a service.
A tenant has choices where & what to rent & for how much. Most reading this platform are aware of the consequences once the RRB comes into effect & sure enough with limited stock rents will rise.
No need to reiterate about rent controls, security of tenure, advance payments…… the list goes on. Admittedly any Landlord or agent for that matter failing to adhere to decent standards of accommodation or foul play / activity taken to task- but to paint all with the same brush unacceptable.
Try and have a good day !
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And government are not treating landlords like cash cows? No?
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The attack on the PRS was started by George Osborne. Landlords continue to be punished by the current Government. Rising rents are purely down to supply and demand. Rip out supply, and guess what happens? The great inequality in the system is that Landlords owning properties via a Ltd company have a distinct advantage (setting off interest payments) over the little one property owning Landlord. The Government really should address this but they won’t as property owners are “rich scumbags”!
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Green by name, green by nature. Green is the colour used for inexperience and jealousy. Add in that she hails from the people’s republic of Bristol and no more need be said.
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I blame Gov. 100% for the high cost of rents. Mass immigration and especially s24. Rent controls here in the UK have never worked and I believe in Scotland rents increased. My rents are well below the local value but if rent controls were brought in I would have no alternative but to increase. As far as illegal evictions are concerned these were mainly by roque landlords who were renting under the radar but were only discovered when the tenants approached the local rag and councils got involved. Rogue landlords especially those renting to illegals will continue to thrive no matter how many new regulations are introduced.
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