Michael Gove says private rented sector reform ‘will happen in 2023’
Legislation will be brought forward to improve the position of people in the private rented sector as Housing Secretary admits tens of thousands of properties are unsafe.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove says he will bring forward legislation to improve the position of people in the private rented sector (PRS) in 2023.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday morning Gove also said the government “should have moved faster” to improve things for social housing tenants in the “immediate aftermath” of the Grenfell Tower fire.
He admitted tens of thousands of properties were unsafe because they had not “been looked after properly” and that a significant number were in need of repair.
CRITICISM
Gove came under stinging criticism just days after a coroner ruled that the widely reported death of tot Awaab Ishak was caused by mould at home.
He told host Nick Robinson: “We know there are a significant number of properties, some of which were built in the 60s and 70s and are in poor conditions, but some of which have been poorly maintained that simply need to be properly repaired and properly maintained.”
Pressed on the state of the PRS Gove said: “We’re going to be bringing forward more legislation to improve the position of people in the private rented sector. We want to make sure that people in the private rented sector are confident that local government is on their side.”
PROTECTION
“We will bring forward legislation that will give them better protection. It will come in the next calendar year, so 2023.”
Questioned on a lack of new housing he added: “[The] Planning system isn’t working at the moment we do need to concentrate on a brownfield first approach.”
The story has been a significant increase in homes built over many years.”
When further grilled on the high turnover of housing ministers he went on to say: “The story has been a significant increase in homes built over many years… The struggle never ceases we are determined to ensure that people can have safe, decent, warm homes and people can get on the housing ladder.”
Listen to the Radio 4 Today interview HERE from 2hr:34m
As to Disco Gove being able to safeguard tenants of housing associations I would not be holding my breathe.
Given that the Grenfell inquiry started on the 14th of September 2017 and its findings are due in 2023, which no doubt will show shocking shortcomings by the Chelsea & Kensington councils and the associated now defunct (TMO) Tenant management organisation, which came into being due to the Governments 1996, Right to Manage Statute.
What I do guarantee is that apart from ‘lessons learned’ rhetoric, by the time 2023 arrives, the one year pre-election period will be upon the country and almost zero focus will be put on any new proposals, housing included. Throw in that there may be Lisa Tandy replacing Disco Gove, in a little over a year and you are back to the drawing board.
I think Mr Gove has got a lot of work to do in getting Council and Social Housing in order before even more relentless attacks on the PRS