Gove seeks to calm landlord nerves ahead of reform bill
Housing secretary says "you can’t have an effective housing market, or provision of the homes we need, without a variety of tenure types".
A thriving private rented sector is vital to ensuring an effective housing market, the Housing Secretary has told the Conservative Party Conference.
Speaking at a fringe event organised by the Centre for Policy Studies on Sunday the remarks by Michael Gove (main picture) were made in response to a question by Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).
Beadle asked the Secretary of State if he agreed that “a thriving private rented sector where landlords have the confidence to provide decent homes is important for the future of housing provision?”
EFFECTIVE MARKET
Gove agreed and went on to explain: “You can’t have an effective housing market, or provision of the homes we need, without having a variety of different types of tenure.
“A route to homeownership, a private rented sector that facilitates labour mobility among other things, and socially rented homes in order to help people who are, for whatever reason, eligible for, and deserving of, that level of support.”
He also acknowledged the NRLA’s constructive engagement with the Government on reform of the private rented sector, noting that it has always argued for a ‘balanced market’ between the needs of landlords and tenants.
Gove continued: “Actually, the overwhelming majority of landlords want a relationship with their tenants where their tenants stay. Easily the best thing is to have a long-term relationship with someone who pays the rent, looks after the property and where there are those ties.”
GROWING PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR
Speaking at a later event organised by Shelter Gove spoke of the need for a thriving and growing private rented sector.
Ben Beadle, NRLA Chief Executive, says: “The Housing Secretary is right to acknowledge the importance of a thriving rental market alongside all other tenures. But the only way to achieve this is to develop policies that can secure the confidence of the vast majority of responsible landlords.
“When section 21 repossessions end, landlords need certainty that the courts will more swiftly process possession claims where there is good cause.
“Alongside, this, we need to reform a tax system which is penalising the provision of the very homes renters are struggling to find.”
Picture credit: Ben Beadle
More fool anyone that believes a word that the backstabbing snake Gove says.
Finally someone gets it:
“Actually, the overwhelming majority of landlords want a relationship with their tenants where their tenants stay. Easily the best thing is to have a long-term relationship with someone who pays the rent, looks after the property and where there are those ties.”