27th
Sep 2022
At last weekend’s Labour Party conference Shadow housing minister, Lisa Nandy, proudly unveiled the party’s new Charter for Renters which she promised that if Labour gets into power it will be implemented within 100 days of winning a General Election.
According to various polls Labour is head and shoulders above the Conservatives to win the next election the party will not only implement the policies as outlined in the Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper, it will also introduce even more powers to tenants.
Nandy guaranteed Labour will:
- Abolish Section 21 evictions;
- Introduce 4 month notice periods;
- Downgrade landlords’ eviction powers if tenants are in rental arrears;
- Scrutinise a scheme for ‘portable/passport’ deposits to help make it far easier and cheaper for tenants to move home;
- Tenants will be allowed to have pets
- Allow tenants to make ”reasonable alterations to a property”;
- Introduce a landlord national register;
- Introduce a regulated decent homes standard in the private rental sector.
Nandy told the party’s conference attendees: “For private renters we will tilt the balance of power back to you through a powerful new renters’ charter and a new decent homes standard – written into law.
"Because security in your home, the right to make your home your own, and most of all the right to live in a home that isn't cold, mouldy, damp and unfit for human habitation, is a fundamental right.
"The Tories have turned housing into a racket. They started under Thatcher and now they've come back to finish the job. "Incentivising speculation and profiteering while millions languish on waiting lists in cold damp homes."
It is highly disputed that the ‘100 days’ pledge could be introduced in such a short period following a Labour win in the next General Election as the intended reforms will take far longer. Firstly it will have to first release a new White Paper then undertake a required consultation period, before the ‘Bill’ can be presented to Parliament.
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