Maureen Tread
17 Thanks
92 Posts
What does everyone think of the Labour mini manifesto? Could NRLA please update on NRLA engagement with Sarah Jones and the Labour shadow housing team? The manifesto plans to make all tenancies 3 years in length (which many renters would not want unless they plan to make this a one sided contract). That aside, nothing seems too bad but what worries me is what might be added to any upcoming green paper if Labour is in government. Lisa Nandy has gone further with a renter's charter;
"Labour is also calling for a new Renters’ Charter that would end automatic evictions for rent arrears; introduce a national register of landlords; make deposits fairer and more flexible; permit pets; allow tenants to make reasonable alterations to their home; require landlords to give four-month notice periods; and give tenants the right to request speedy repairs.
Security in your home, the right to make your home your own and the right to live in a home fit for human habitation should be something we can all expect."
One Labour MP was speaking on the radio about ending all rights to evict a tenant when it was necessary to sell a house.
Between now and the next 18 months there will be many of us, who, after decades of being landlords will put some or all of our portfolios on the market. The risk is no longer worth taking unless there is clarity particularly on rent controls.
There are terrible unintended consequences looming IMO. I have three bedroomed properties where I have barely put the rent up for years. They are occupied by good tenants, I bought the houses years ago and I am happy to take way less than market rents because I don't get hassle unlike my HMOs. If rent rises for these properties is to be rent capped and sale of the property prohibited unless sold with the tenant in situ, do I hike the rent for these poor tenants before Labour get in or otherwise I will have an unsaleable property forever?
I am interested to know what others are doing.
