Image credit: iStock

Brendan Geraghty, who leads the Association for Rental Living, has just released a statement saying: “Whilst welcoming any legislation that will improve the rental experience and support the professionalisation of the rental sector, we call on the Government to recognise that the BTR sector already delivers, and in many cases exceeds, the outputs which the Bill is designed to deliver.

“As a customer centric sector, building trust and loyalty with our customers is a cornerstone of BTR culture.

“However, the ARL is concerned about the impact of abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and the proposal to move to periodic assured tenancies.

“As outlined in one of the seven proposed principles of the BTR Code of Practice – an ARL-led initiative currently undergoing road testing by the BTR sector – adopting fairness and flexibility as hallmarks of tenancy terms, including offering variable lease term lengths, is a core part of the BTR offering.

“BTR sees value in ensuring that the experience of renting a BTR home is a positive, safe, and secure experience. Our investors reasonably value a limited fixed term tenancy that has been historically present in the rental economy but is not provided for in this Bill.

“A minimum fixed term tenancy also has value for our customers, who cite the lease insecurity and the threat of eviction as a major criticism of status quo PRS.

“The ARL is concerned that periodic tenancies could attract transient residents who do not ‘buy into’ BTR’s culture of providing long term homes and communities. Placemaking and community are one of the four pillars of BTR; both require committed residents.

“The ARL’s concerns also remain around the ability of the courts, in their present state, to deal with the increased workload that will be created without Section 21. Whilst the ARL supports the abolition of Section 21, we continue to call for court improvements ahead of legislation being passed.