The Generation Rent activist group is urging its supporters to email MPs to protest about delays in the parliamentary progress of the Renters Reform Bill.

And the group makes it easy for its supporters, by creating the letters and tailoring them towards the MPs’ party – Tory or Labour

Generation Rent has for some days now suggested that just a small number of Conservative MPs, who are themselves landlords, are responsible for what the group sees as a delay in the Second Reading of the Bill, which is now expected after the party conference season. This is despite a government pledge, delivered by the Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, that the Bill would receive the Second Reading as soon as business allowed.

It has therefore created template letters which, depending on your postcode, is worded as appropriate for the MP’s party.

So for Conservatives, the campaign wants this letter to be sent: 

“Dear xxx xxx MP, 

“I am writing to you, my MP, to ask you to represent tenants’ interests during the passage of the Renters Reform Bill. I hope you take this really important opportunity to improve renting and the lives of renters in our constituency by ending arbitrary Section 21 evictions. These reforms were a part of your 2019 manifesto commitment, and polls show tenancy reform to be one of the government’s most popular policies, so I expect you to stand by them and support this Bill.

“Tenants are facing insecurity in their homes, knowing they can be evicted at any time and without being given a reason, as well as sky high rents and often terrible conditions.

“Please make sure that you attend the second reading debate of the Renters Reform Bill and raise concerns I have that proposals could still leave tenants vulnerable to unfair evictions. It would mean a lot to me and other renters in [constituency name] if you could support the positive parts of this Bill while ensuring that the loopholes are closed.

“I’m also concerned about the lack of protections for tenants against landlords who ignore damp and mould – we need an Awaab’s Law as a part of this Bill to make sure private tenants are safe in their homes.

“Generation Rent has produced a briefing on the Bill, outlining where they think the strengths and weaknesses lie. If you would like to contact them, please email [email protected] and they will arrange a meeting with you.

“I look forward to your contribution to the Bill – renters in [constituency name] and around the country need you to stand up for them now while it matters the most. We need you to deliver on the promises you made at the last election.”

And if the activist is in the constituency of a Labour MP, the wording is shorter:

“Dear XXX XXX MP,

“I am writing to you, my MP, to ask you to represent tenants’ interests during the passage of the Renters (Reform) Bill. I hope you take this really important opportunity to improve renting and the lives of renters in our constituency by ending arbitrary Section 21 evictions.

“Tenants are facing insecurity in their homes, knowing they can be evicted at any time and without being given a reason, as well as sky high rents and often terrible conditions.

“Please make sure that you attend the second reading debate of the Renters Reform Bill and raise concerns I have that proposals could still leave tenants vulnerable to unfair evictions. It would mean a lot to me and other renters in [constituency name] if you could support the positive parts of this Bill while ensuring that the loopholes are closed.

“There’s not enough in the Bill to deal with high rents – and the tribunal designed to regulate rent rises will still result in tenants being forced out of their homes by unaffordable rent increases. This is wrong and won’t help keep the bills down in our area.

“Generation Rent has produced a briefing on the Bill, outlining where they think the strengths and weaknesses lie. If you would like to contact them, please email [email protected] and they will arrange a meeting with you.

“I look forward to your contribution to the Bill – renters in [constituency name] and around the country need you to stand up for them now while it matters the most.”