Shamplina urges agents to ‘up their game’ and protect landlords
TV star Paul Shamplina tells The Neg that agents must help landlords deal with the changes proposed in the Renters' Rights Bill.
Evictions expert and Landlord Action boss Paul Shamplina (main picture) has warned letting agents that they “have to up their game” ahead of the looming Renters’ Rights Bill, which has its second reading this week.
The TV star told The Neg that landlords need agents to help them deal with new measures, such as the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
I speak to a lot of letting agents, and I tell them they need to up their game.”
“I speak to a lot of letting agents, and I tell them they need to up their game,” he says.
“Landlords are already leaving the market…and the agents job is to make sure their landlords are protected properly.
More rent than ever
“But also to remind them [landlords] they are getting more rent than ever before,” he says.
The former star of Channel 5’s Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords says he understands why the Renters’ Rights Bill, which he says is the biggest change to the PRS in 25 years, is needed, to “level up” the playing field between landlords and tenants.
Backlogs
The bill, which is due to receive its second reading in Parliament on Wednesday, is expected to ban Section 21 evictions. But backlogs in the courts need to be addressed, he says, otherwise, landlords and agents will not be able to gain possession of properties.
And a change to periodic tenancies will also have a big impact on landlords and agents, who will have to renew tenancies monthly, he says.
He supports a registration scheme for landlords, and the creation of a new ombudsman scheme, that are also proposed in the bill.
Budget plans
It is important that landlords aren’t treated as ‘pariahs’ though, Shamplina says, because the PRS needs more of them to relieve the current rental crisis.
The Budget planned for later this month will be watched with “bated breath” to see what tax measures Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduces.
Your guide to the main points in the Renters’ Rights Bill