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
Read the orginal article: https://propertyindustryeye.com/landlords-accused-of-treating-renters-like-cash-cows-by-mp-calling-for-rent-controls/
