30th
Jan 2017
A think-tank that works on behalf of the government wants it to give ' power to the tenants' to improve their lot in the private rented sector.
IPPR (The Institute of Policy Research) supported/funded by taxes and is totally independent , wants the government to create a new National Tenants' Association.
In the past residents and tenants banding together have been instrumental for a raft of government legislation to reduce poor housing conditions. Since Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister many of these groups have since disappeared.
The IPPR wants what it calls 'housing justice' for private renters which will include a higher level of service and believes it can only be achieved through mass membership organisations such as trade unions.
The IPPR envisages that the trade union would work on behalf of its tenant members by helping with legal matters and disputes between its members and landlords, as well as applying pressure on the government.
The organisation believes that by offering incentives to private renters it will help the trade union membership. One of their suggestions is that insurance companies could offer members extensions to tenant insurance products to fully cover legal costs in tenant and landlord disputes.
Charlotte Snelling, IPPR researcher on housing, said: "Private tenants in England often pay high rents and receive mediocre service in return.
"Private tenants need to be given much greater voice and power. This could be done by following the example of Germany’s powerful tenants’ associations.
"This will help make sure their voice is heard in a debate that is often dominated by the goal of home ownership as well as provide them with more practical help to drive up the quality of rented homes.
"Doing this as well as better regulation of renting and building many more homes will be key to solving the housing crisis."
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