Generation Rent has raised detailed concerns about a proposal from the Liberal Democrats to introduce a national register of landlords. 

The Lib Dems’ manifesto commitments include the immediate abolition of Section 21 evictions and three-year tenancies as standard; council crackdowns on Airbnbs, holiday lets and second homes; a minimum energy standard for rental properties, and the landlord register.

But Dan Wilson Craw, deputy chief executive of Generation Rent, says: “A national register of landlords is essential, with England the only UK nation without one. But by specifying ‘licensed landlords’ begs the question of whether the party would require all landlords to be licensed as well, or just apply the register to the roughly 7% of landlords who currently need a licence.”

He’s also concerned at other Lib Dem ideas and says: “A commitment to ‘immediately’ ban no-fault evictions is a good first step. However, the commitment to three-year tenancies by default is confusing – it is not clear whether tenants could move home within the three years if their circumstances change, or if landlords would need a reason to evict at the end of the period. 

“The abolition of no-fault evictions must be paired with open-ended tenancies to provide tenants with both security and flexibility.

“The Liberal Democrats are also correct to right a wrong of the previous parliament by raising minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented homes, which is essential to eradicate fuel poverty and bring down energy bills for renters.

“The manifesto contains positive proposals with the potential to improve the affordability and quality of rented homes. However, without a more comprehensive offer of reform to renting, including limits to rent increases, renters will continue to suffer from the same imbalance of power with our landlords that has undermined our security for so long, and this must be addressed by the next government.”