NRLA at the Labour Party Conference

NRLA Chief Policy Officer, Chris Norris was at Labour Conference this week. With focus on Keir Starmer’s leadership and the upcoming Budget, he recaps on the developments that matter to you.

From the NHS, the state of the economy and, crucially, housing, last year's Labour Conference addressed the myriad challenges facing the new Government.

Twelve months on, while the focus may have changed, with leadership, Reform and one particular northern Mayor high on the agenda, housing still played a key role in discussions.

As might be expected, a significant portion of the housing debate was framed from a tenant perspective - which is why the NRLA’s attendance at conferences like this is so important. To but it bluntly we need to be the person in the room giving the other side of the story. 

So what was up for discussion?

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) 

Government proposals to raise the MEES to a minimun EPC rating of C in the private rented sector was the subject of much debate a the conference. Attendees and panel members were very keen to see standards raised as soon as possible and very welcoming of the proposals.  

Consequently, it fell to me to point out that many landlords actually don’t have £15,000 per property to make sure they meet an EPC C – and share our calls for proposals that are fair and workable, alongside a package of financial support.

One of the reasons I attend conferences and events like this is the opportunity to grab key people for one-on-one conversations that would otherwise take weeks or months to arrange, and I was lucky enough to speak to the minister responsible for MEES, Martin McClusky MP.  

While there was no great detail to report on the progress of the MEES consultation, or the Government’s response, this does mean we have put our concerns - and proposed solutions to him - in person, as well as responding to the consultation through the official channels.

I have also arranges a one-on-one meeting with him to go over these concerns in more detail and outlined our suggestions for a fairer system, with more realistic timelines.

Renters’ Rights Bill

Unsurprisingly, Renters’ Rights was a hot topic, with fringe events run by organisations including Shelter, Crisis and the Labour Housing Group running events covering the changes.

Fringe events are debates and discussions take place at party conferences but are hosted by outside organisations. To give members a sense of just how many fringe events take place, this year's Labour Conference had over 800 scheduled.

Members who are up-to-date with developments will know the Bill has not yet become law, and we are still awaiting information as to when the Bill will begin to be implemented once this happens. The mood at the Conference was clear, that Labour party members and stakeholders involved in housing want to see this Bill implemented as soon as possible. 

Of course, implementing legislation that will have such a seismic effect on the sector without sufficient notice would not be without consequences. I made clear that the PRS realistically needs a (minimum) six month lead-in period in order to properly adjust practices, paperwork and everything else that comes with being a landlord and managing tenants. 

Rent Controls 

I should start this section by first emphasising that rent controls are not being implemented by the Government and have repeatedly been ruled out by ministers. However, it would be wrong to say that discussions rent controls were absent from discussions.

Many events focussed on housing affordability, with a particular emphasis on private sector rents. While many attendees were pushing for rent controls, it was left to myself and a select few others to make the point that rents are rising as a result of inflated costs and a lack of supply.

Rent controls do not work, as has been evidenced across the world, with negaitive outcomes for tenants as well as landlords.

It was quite clear from the conversations I had in Liverpool that, although personal views may vary, ministers and backbenchers alike had been clearly briefed to say nothing supportive about rent caps.  

So what can we take away?

While I may not have been the most popular person at this year’s Labour Conference, it was important for the NRLA to attend and put forward your views to policymakers. It was also good to connect with other groups and key stakeholders operaing in the private rented sector, as well as meeting ministers, and other high level policymakers. 

What next?

Our party conference season is not quite over, with our CEO Ben Beadle attending the upcoming Conservative Party Conference in Manchester from from this Sunday. This will be crucial for understanding the Opposition’s policies as regards the PRS, while giving us the opportunity to share our concerns and recommendations for building a thriving PRS. 

For the opportunity to discuss these, and a wealth of other issues, in the very same venue used by the Labour Party, join us for the NRLA’s national conference at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on November 5.

Watch Chris's video diary below: