19th
Apr 2022
In spite of the expected reduction in powers or total abolition of Section 21 evictions, rental activists have stated they will be carrying out further campaigns and protests to dilute landlords’ power’s even further.
Rental activists have made it clear that they will not be stopping their campaigns even when their objective to scrap Section 21 eviction powers is achieved.
It is more than likely the government’s proposals featured in its rental reform White Paper that one of the most contentious issues is the scrapping of Section 21, and the consultation document expected to be published shortly.
This apparently follows rental activists extremely well-funded lengthy campaigns ran by organisations such as the Nationwide funded Renters Reform Coalition group.
One such ‘upstanding’ member of the coalition group Acorn has recently been ordered to pay £100,000 in costs and damages to a landlord, for breaching data rights, defamation of character and harassment not only of the landlord but to her neighbours as well.
And once again Generation Rent , part of the coalition, has started up another campaign to reduce landlords’ rights by staring off with a series of Twits.
The tweets read: “When Section 21 evictions are abolished, it is likely more landlords will begin using Section 13 rent increases to force tenants out. These notices can be challenged at the Rent Tribunal, but in a 30-month period it heard just 341 cases.
“On average, tenants came away with an 11% increase in their rent in one go. This is because the tribunal bases its decisions on how much similar properties to your home are listed for nearby, and not what you can afford.
“The average rent rise is equivalent to 5.5% per year – much higher than rent inflation nationwide, and higher than wage inflation."
The tweets from Generation Rent meander along further: “Landlords ask for 28% more rent on average. As the tribunal takes into account poor conditions of the property, in 77% of cases private tenants get a lower rent increase than the landlord had asked for. But nearly 1 in 4 have to pay the proposed rent - or even more.
“While few renters use the system currently, those that do often find themselves forced to pay unaffordable new rent increases or find somewhere else to live. Before the system becomes more extensively used, it needs essential reform.
“Landlords shouldn’t be able to serve Section 13s if they don’t meet basic standards, rent increases should be capped at wage inflation and the government must raise awareness of the tribunal to prevent more renters suffering from unaffordable increases.”
Richard Merrick of PIMS, says:” The Renters Reform Coalition will just gain pyrrhic victories which will only achieve raising costs and rents for the tenants. Landlords are getting sick to their back teeth with the constant ‘National whippings’ from the hands of activists, councils, media and government.
Richard adds: “Some landlords are already phasing in measures to reduce their portfolios and see it being far more life changing for the better, by just getting out of the sector”.
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