Get Stuck In! - Agents told to campaign to change Labour’s Renters Rights Bill

Agents are being urged to campaign to change Labour’s Renters Rights Bill to stop it damaging the lettings industry.

Neil Cobbold, commercial director of Reapit | PayProp, says: “Property professionals need to understand exactly what is being proposed and prove to politicians that they are the true custodians of reliable information about the PRS.

“We know from the experience of the former [Conservative] Renters Reform Bill that MPs are prepared to listen. We managed to achieve changes to the legislation as it went through Parliament. Now, we must do the same again.”

Plans for Labour’s new Renters’ Rights Bill were outlined in the King’s Speech and by Downing Street. They include a private rental sector ombudsman, compulsory membership of a landlord register, greater likelihood of pets in lets, the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard to the private sector, and the abolition of Section 21 eviction powers.

Cobbold continues: “The devil will be in the detail. As it stands, this new Bill will encounter the same problem as the last one – a massive backlog in the courts that may damage landlords’ confidence that they can regain possession of their properties when necessary. We need to wait and see what new measures the government intends to put in place to mitigate this and establish the timeline for change. But at first glance, agents will be best placed to suggest the necessary amendments to ensure this Bill works for the sector.”

He says that with literally hundreds of new MPs elected for the first time, there is a great opportunity for agents to make themselves known and share their experience, data and local knowledge.

He concludes: “While some may be worried about the change of emphasis from rental reform to renters’ rights, looking at the current proposals this is largely the same as the policies proposed by the previous government. It is important we don’t get caught up in political rhetoric but work towards improving the sector.

“We know that there are around 15 households chasing every available home to rent at the moment. Even higher levels of demand will simply push up rents further. The government must ensure the measures in the Bill do not compromise the housing supply in the PRS.

“Agents are the experts in the sector, but agents, tenants and landlords all want the same things: good quality homes and a stable lettings market.”