The National Residential Landlords Association is demanding that the new government elected tomorrow brings back the Renters Reform Bill “as a matter of urgency”.
The statement – which is endorsed by the Leaders Romans Group lettings agency chain, Build To Rent giant Grainger, and the British Property Federation, underlines how crucial it is for the newly-elected administration to make reform of the rental market a key priority following the vote.
A statement from the NRLA says this “follows widespread campaigning by the NRLA in the run-up to the General Election, where we have sought to highlight issues which we feel the UK’s major political parties must take into account.”
The statement continues: “Renters, landlords and letting agents have faced five years of uncertainty over plans to end Section 21 ‘no fault’ repossessions. With all the main parties’ manifestos committed to delivering rental reform, it’s time to bring the issue to a conclusion. Only this approach will enable the sector to look forward and unlock the investment in new housing that renters desperately need and deserve.
“The Renters Reform Bill to end Section 21 was well on its way through Parliament before the election with broad support, and Labour has said it could have ‘happily’ agreed it in the ‘wash up’ period.
“The best way for the next government to achieve their objectives would be to resurrect this Bill as a matter of urgency.”
Last week the Shadow Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook – who is tipped to retain that role if Labour forms the government – told Sky News: “We took the Bill through Parliament. We took it right to the end, got to the wash up, we said to the government we would happily pass this. It’s not perfect, we wanted to see it strengthened, but renters are so desperately in need of greater rights and protections we will see it through.”