MPs have passed the first stage of a bill calling for greater protection for private rented sector tenants.
The bill was introduced by back bench Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert and called for the housing ombudsman to be given powers to oversee private landlords. It calls for a ban on “exorbitant” letting agent fees to prepare or renew contracts, a review of the law applied to landlords and tenants, and a review of the way councils set up landlord and property accreditation schemes.
The bill now joins the queue of “10-minute rule” bills awaiting a second reading.
Tim Farron, MP for South Lakes and president of the Liberal Democrats, was co-sponsor of the 10-minute rule bill.
He said: “I am very concerned that some tenants are being charged excessive amounts for the standard process of letting a flat, or for the repair or replacement of fixtures and fittings.
“There is no overarching regulation of the private housing sector and I am worried that tenants are at the mercy of unscrupulous agencies which see tenancies as a way of making extra money over and above the standard charges.”
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Comments
Thick attention seeking politicians permeate every corner of our society preying on so called unfortunates as they use them and their situations to gain popularity and points with the unthinking freeloading masses that vote for these morons. A free market will weed out practices that are contrary to the market. Its because of failed politicians that we let out of school tens of thousands of children who can't read, write add, subtract, multiply, negotiate or communicate that we have these situations where some people prey upon them. If they did their jobs correctly and educated people with standards set and inflexible, then we wouldn't have people being preyed upon financially. They would be market and finance astute. BUT hey why not blame the landlord! Just like Robert Mugabe that hideous Zimbabwean murderer and thief who still blames all his countries ills on the white man after 40 years of black rule, our useless politicians, councils et al blame landlords for all the property and social issues (and almost immigration ha ha) having done nothing in 40 years but talk complete rubbish and do nothing of significance.
There is no shortage of letting agents. As a landlord, if I don't like my agent's fee levels, I change agents. Tenants can do the same.
As for councils running landlord accreditation schemes....don't make me laugh. Most days, they can't even handle answering the phones.
Introducing needless regulation is not the way to solve the housing crisis. But it certainly makes for a good smoke-screen.
What about the Landlords ?
When are these MPs going to realize that Landlords need protecting from rouge tenants just as much as tenants need protecting from rouge Landlords !!
Let me guess.....They haven't thought of that !!!