A Tory council in Middle England has backed a committee of MPs calling for rental reform measures to be tightened up.

The all-party Select Committee on Levelling Up, Housing and Communities recently slammed many of the government’s reforms. 

It suggests that most tenants are not worried by insecure housing or low-quality properties but by high rents caused in part by landlords quitting as a result of government taxes.

The MPs also warn that banning Section 21 evictions nay lead to a surge of possessions cases before the abolition date, in turn swamping courts.

Now the Tory controlled Cherwell District Council has welcomed the committee’s findings.

A statement from the council says: “The timely report calls on government to consult with local authorities to ensure that the civil penalties regime is fit for purpose. This will have the added value of ensuring that local authorities can take action through enforcement when necessary and work to drive out irresponsible landlords.”

Councillor Nicholas Mawer, chair of housing on the council, says: “We applaud the House of Commons’ recommendations to the Renters Reform Bill. We have previously called for these crucial reforms to be brought forward and are pleased to see that progress is being made to bringing these before the government.

“For residents who rely on the private rental sector, especially those on lower income, poor quality homes makes life much harder. The current cost of living crisis means that supporting our most vulnerable residents has never been more important.

“It is a basic right for tenants to feel safe in their own homes and be confident in the standard of housing they should receive, regardless of tenure. Whilst the majority of landlords provide decent, well maintained homes, there are a minority few that take advantage and offer poor quality and dangerous accommodation. 

“This is why we support and would welcome any conversation with the government around reforms to allow us more power to better intervene and escalate issues with landlords where necessary.”