news | 3 weeks ago | Jon Yarker

Tenant advocacy group also ‘disappointed’ in Renters Rights Bill

Tenant advocacy group Generation Rent has expressed disappointment in the Renters Rights Bill, the day after numerous landlord organisations spoke out against the legislation.


Yesterday, the Renters Rights Bill was voted through by MPs with 444 ayes to 111 noes.

The bill, which has now progressed to the upper house, includes several major reforms for the PRS including an end to Section 21 evictions and banning rental bidding wars.

While Generation Rent “overall” welcomes the bill, it has spoken out against the legislation and claimed it will not do enough to combat soaring rents.

In particular, the group flagged that Labour MP Paula Barker had tabled an amendment to cap tenancy rate rises in line with the CPI or wage growth.

Despite being supported by over 35 MPs, this was not taken forward by the government.

“It is therefore disappointing the government didn’t bring forward the amendment to introduce rent caps within tenancies to limit how much landlords can hike the rent on their tenants,” said Generation Rent, in an issued statement. “Without this measure, many landlords will use rent hikes as a Section 21 eviction in all but name.”

“In the long-term, the government must act to stop runaway rents and unfreeze the Local Housing Allowance rate to protect families on low incomes from poverty and homelessness.”

Yesterday, following the bill’s progress through parliament, several organisations representing landlords - such as the NRLA, Propertymark, Goodlord, Leaders Romans Group and the British Property Federation - penned an open letter to the government again protesting against the bill.

The view of these groups was that “some elements of the bill would harm the interests of landlords and tenants alike, reducing access to private rented accommodation for some groups.”

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