Why doesn’t the Renters Rights Bill protect against huge rent increases?
Why doesn’t the Renters Rights Bill protect against huge rent increases? Is Labour just swapping one unfair way landlords can evict tenants for another?
The centrepiece of the Bill, which is being introduced today, is a ban on “no-fault” evictions – that was long-delayed under recent Conservative governments due to opposition from Tory MPs who were also landlords.
Landlords will still be able to regain possession of their property if needed; for example, if they wanted to sell or move into the home, or if a tenant was causing anti-social behaviour or in rent arrears.
The bill will also ban “bidding wars” – with landlords and letting agents legally required to publish an asking rent for their property and prevented from encouraging or accepting bids above this price; prevent landlords from blocking tenants on benefits or with children; allow tenants the right to keep pets; and extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, forcing landlords to fix issues like damp and mould within a specified timeframe.
But it doesn’t block unreasonable rent increases.
The BBC quotes Tom Darling, of the Renters Reform Coalition, who said
“This draft law has little to say about one of the biggest issues facing renters – cost,” he said.
“‘Economic evictions’ through rent rises are a major factor in homelessness and insecurity.”
So Labour’s new Bill goes a little way towards helping tenants – but not nearly far enough. All landlords will have to do, after it becomes law, is raise rents beyond tenants’ ability to pay and they can carry on evicting people to their hearts’ content. Right?
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If you’re a good tenant but your landlord isn’t being reasonable contact Shelter – they saved us more than once.
If facing a rent increase, make sure your landlord is using the correct, very precise form. If they’re not using the right legal form you don’t have to tell them but also you don’t have to pay the increase… And of course, check with Shelter and your local Citizens Advice Bureau.