Labour calls for urgent protections for renters despite ruling out price controls

Labour is calling for the urgent implementation of protection for renters amid concerns over a potential spike in evictions.

Last week the government announced support for mortgage holders, but as yet has not been forthcoming with measures to help those renting.

Shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy is now calling for the government to immediately implement her party’s private renter’s charter.

This includes banning no-fault evictions, lengthening repossession notice periods and introducing a code of practice for letting agents.

An announcement from Labour claims “the Tory mortgage bombshell and rampant inflation threaten to hammer renters and put them at risk of eviction”.

The party’s latest intervention came less than 24 hours after Ms Nandy distanced herself from the idea of rent controls as a “sticking-plaster solution” – having said last year she was “personally very interested” in the concept.

Labour claims that more than three million people are being impacted by “Tory failure to protect renters” across England.

The opposition also says that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s attempts to protect renters have “significant doubts” around them due to unrest on the government’s own backbenches.

The Renters’ (Reform) Bill was introduced into parliament in May, and aims to ban no-fault evictions.

It will also make it easier for landlords to regain their properties from “irresponsible” renters.

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Banning no-fault – aka Section 21 – evictions was a promise made in the 2019 Conservative manifesto that is still yet to become a reality.

It could be months before the government’s bill passes into law, and it is likely to be subject to amendments from all directions.

Ms Nandy said: “While ministers and Tory MPs argue amongst themselves, renters are left in limbo waiting for basic reforms that are long overdue, and grappling with the fallout from the Tory mortgage bombshell.

“Labour will never treat renters as second-class citizens. We will make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable with our renters’ charter.

“We will scrap no-fault evictions, introduce a four-month notice period for landlords, a national register of landlords, and a suite of new rights for tenants – including the right to make alterations to your home, the right to request speedy repairs, and the right to have pets.”

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A Conservative spokesperson said: “Keir Starmer has u-turned on everything from rental reform to protecting the green belt. On housing, like any other policy issue, the British people can’t trust Keir Starmer to keep his word.

“Only the Conservatives are improving tenants’ rights, protecting our green spaces and delivering the right homes in the right places, as we continue to deliver on the people’s priorities by halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting NHS waiting lists and stopping the boats.”

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokeswoman said: “The Renters (Reform) Bill, which has begun its progress through Parliament, delivers the 2019 manifesto commitment of ‘a better deal for renters’.

“Reforms will strengthen protections for both renters and landlords – abolishing so-called ‘no fault’ section 21 evictions, while strengthening landlords’ rights of possession.

“Tenants will benefit from greater security and quality of housing, and landlords will find it easier to get rid of anti-social tenants or those wilfully not paying rent.

“We remain committed to creating a private rented sector that works for responsible landlords and tenants and holding those abusing the current system to account.”

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