Campaigners slam MPs for trying to scupper renting reforms
One proposed amendment from the group of MPs would allow fixed term tenancies to be retained where there is ‘mutual agreement’ between tenant and landlord.
A group of 40 Conservative MPs have been accused of setting up a ‘cabal’ to water down plans laid down in the Renters (Reform) Bill so as not to interfere in their own interests.
Analysis of the Register of MP’s Financial Interests conducted by the Renters’ Reform Coalition found that five out of the ten MPs in England with the biggest landlord portfolios are involved.
‘GUT’ THE LEGISLATION
Nick Fletcher (10 privately rented properties), Marco Longhi (10), Bob Blackman (6), James Gray (4) and Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown (5) are all among a group of 40 Conservative backbenchers who have signed amendments that campaigners warn will ‘gut’ the legislation as it currently stands.
The amendments, tabled by Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, include proposals to allow ‘hearsay’ evidence to be used in evictions over antisocial behaviour; delay the bill’s implementation indefinitely; require renters to live in a property for a minimum of six months before they can leave and abolish council licensing schemes intended to drive up standards.
And one proposed amendment would allow fixed term tenancies to be retained where there is ‘mutual agreement’ between tenant and landlord.
TOO MUCH POWER
But campaigners warn that would give landlords too much power in tenancy negotiations – essentially leaving things as they are now.
The Renters (Reform) Bill has already seen concessions made to pro-landlord groups, including a delay to the end of Section 21 until the courts are reformed; changes to make it easier for landlords to accuse tenants of anti-social behaviour then evict them and a weakening of the process for challenging rent increases designed to act as disincentive to tenants.
The Neg reported last week how Housing Secretary Michael Gove has committed to outlawing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions before the General Election, which must take place before the end of January next year.
Twelve of the 40 MPs who have signed the amendments (30%) are themselves landlords of properties in England with the total number of properties being let out by MPs who have signed the amendments sitting at 48.
The Bill is currently still awaiting its Report Stage in the House of Commons, despite having been first introduced to Parliament last May.
BROKEN RENTAL MARKET
Tom Darling, Campaign Manager of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, says: “Of course, being a landlord doesn’t mean you can’t be an MP.
“But we think those who personally profit from England’s broken rental market have a particular duty to their constituents to deliver reforms to the private rented sector. Indeed, they all stood on manifestos to do just that in 2019.”
He adds: “It is therefore extremely concerning to see these MPs signing up to amendments that would render significant parts of the legislation pointless.
“What’s more, the government have now invested so much politically in this issue that we are concerned they might be looking to make concessions to these rebels to pass the bill quickly and say they have abolished no-fault evictions – despite in reality introducing a system that won’t be much better.”
Renters Reform Coalition – TENANTS Number One ENEMY !!!
I would have thought being Landlords – for once gives the MP’s experience of what they are talking about and that is a good thing! People such as Tom Darling clearly do not know what they are talking about and needs to work in a lettings agency to find out how it actually does work. AND young TOM the PRS sector is not “broken” yet but it soon will be with what is being inflicted on it. It is not just the landlords who need a fixed term due to the costs, it is mostly tenants who also want fixed terms for security!
I dont know of any other commercial service where a minimum term contract is illegal, they are used for the obvious reason that there is a cost to the supplier in setting up the contract and the supplier not unreasonably wanting to recoup that cost over a fixed period of time – not have the cost repeatedly forced on him to replace one contract with another. With tenancies there is again a greater risk of increasing rent to cover losses.
Tom Darling you look about 12 years old and that’s the limit of your life experience. Tory MPs Outed by the politics of envy. Look forward to more of a failing private rented sector propped up by more pilfering from the pockets of private landlords.
The more snowflakes campaign the more landlords leave and rents sky rocket (as they have been since they started the attack on landlords); when will these soppy wet wipes realise that.
I can only speak from working in a rural area where longer tenancies, certainly with us, are the norm and I have several tenants with over 15 years in the same property. Tenants in the main are looking for stability and removing the fixed term hardly achieves this as currently they can sign for up to three years.
The biggest issue in the rental market is that constant change and rumours are driving landlords out of the market and they are sick of being viewed as the evil landlords. I would be happy to have an MP come and work in my office for a month and I will even provide biscuits but they would see that the vast majority of landlords and tenants work in partnership. By all means hammer the bad landlords but hammer the bad tenants as well and they outnumber the bad landlords.
I for one would support the retention of fixed term tenancies it gives both parties security.