Housing secretary Michael Gove has been warned that delays to rental reforms are “damaging and destabilising” for tenants and the sector as a whole, amid concerns that the government is watering down its pledge to introduce fresh measures to prevent homelessness.
In a joint letter sent to Housing Secretary Michael Gove, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) and the charity Crisis raised doubts over the future of the Renters (Reform) Bill, which was expected to scrap Section 21 evictions.
The legislation, which the letter describes as “the biggest set of changes to the private rented sector for over 30 years”, reached the report stage of its passage through parliament in November last year but is yet to be allocated a date for further consideration, aid growing speculation that the government is planning a major U-turn.
The government has said the scrapping of Section 21 would not come in until reforms in the court system to ensure it is also a fair process for landlords.
However, the NRLA and Crisis have joined other campaigners in warning that “time is running out” for the Bill to be adequately scrutinised.
The letter said: “Over recent weeks a number of media reports have suggested that the Government is considering amendments to the Bill.
“The confusion and uncertainty about the future of the Bill is hurting the rental market and leading many responsible landlords to hold back investment in new homes to rent.
“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.”
A government spokesperson commented: “Our landmark Renters Reform Bill is passing through Parliament and will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.
“We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups representing all those in the private rented sector and engage on our reforms.”
The bottom line if there’s not enough stock then that’s the governments fault, obviously the free market was Conservative thing.
Under Labour nobody will be able to gain possession and rents will be controlled, mortgages will be pulled with the current net influx of “Visitors” of 700,000 expect tent cities in your local park. Get out whilst you can.
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The Pension reforms introduced by Gordon Brown in 2005 are widely recognised as a catalyst for the expansion of the Private Rented Sector (PRS). This period, characterised by a low-interest rate economic policy, alongside the strategies employed by investment, annuity, and pension firms—which often prioritised their own gains over delivering optimal returns to their clients—made direct investments in property an appealing alternative for individuals. This shift allowed individuals to exercise greater control over their investments, contrasting with the traditional reliance on financial managers whose practices sometimes resulted in suboptimal yields and management fees.
Since 2010, efforts by Conservative chancellors to reduce the presence of private, amateur, and ‘accidental’ landlords within the PRS have not achieved the desired effect. As a response, the reduction in capital gains tax can be seen as an attempt to incentivise landlords to sell their properties. This policy aims to increase the availability of starter homes and flats, catering to those who wish to transition from renting or living with parents to homeownership.
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Yes I think what he is referring to is Right to Buy from the 80’s, which has been an abject failure for English citizens as a whole. It has of course made the finance industry a lot of money, kept some estate agents happy and plugged a hole in the ever reducing local authority budget, although that rug has just been pulled. It woud have been great if there was a watchdog to ensure local authorities built each sold unit as new 1:1 as was their legal obligation of course, it is not like each Govt didn not know. I think that is why there is such a shortage of social housing and in turn a housing crisis, such high numbers of people expieriencing homelessness and those on the verge of it. This is the result of a 40 year housing policy overseen by both parties, clearly these guys look out for the vulnerable and put themselves second. If we all behaved as a community none of this would have happened so we all need to look in the mirror. I wish I had voted differently.
Wasn’t the catalyst for the BTL landlord before the crunch the property bubble enabling continual borrowing and after the crunch infinite cheap money?
I am not entirely sure about the tent city comment though, if true these are people fleeing devastation. Put yourself in their shoes and ask what you would do for your family.
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That’s all well and good until you realise there’s 700 thousand extra people entering the country each year with no solution to reduce it presented by Labour or the Conservatives. They all need somewhere to live. The rental market is as important as ever.
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Thats 1.5 million arriving. 750k tax paying Brits leave.
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Immigrants, on average, pay more tax and cost the Exchequer less than Brits. This is a positive thing for the economy.
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Utter rubbish. Put down the Daily Mail and show some integrity.
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If you look at the ONS fingures it clearly shows a huge level off imigigration 750,000 pluss last year
Where exactly do you want these people to live
It may not suite your narrative but this is well documented
I suggest you put the woke Guardian and Socialist Worker down and show some integrty
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Where they’re living now – in London, where the jobs are. Let the bigots in the provinces froth about net immigration; us Londoners want them and need them.
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