The private rented sector (PRS) is “failing” its tenants across “almost every metric”, according to Generation Rent.
In a strongly-worded piece written by outgoing head of campaigns Conor O’Shea, who leaves the tenancy advocacy group this week after two years, the argument for legislative overhaul was presented.
Conor pointed out statistics around rental inflation, fuel poverty and poor housing standards.
This included the fact that over one fifth of renters live in non-decent homes and that more PRS homes contain dangerous category one hazards than any other tenure types.
Conor wrote that politicians standing up for renters are needed “now more than ever” and though recent legislative steps like the progressing Renters’ Rights Bill presented “green shoots”, more could be done.
“Reforms can and should come with a sustained effort to build homes people can afford to live in, in places we want to live,” wrote Conor.
“But that will take years for its effects to be felt by those who need it most.”
In particular, Conor argued that new homes do not need to be owned by landlords and that landlords buying up housing stock reduces home ownership options for tenants.
“Renters are suffering right now,” he added. “That’s why changes are so desperately needed to make living in a rented home into an attractive choice.
“Only then can the vision of renters being the envy of homeowners become anything close to a reality.”
