It’s quite clear who has been Public Enemy Number One in the last couple of weeks and, I suspect, she may hold on to the title for a while to come after Rachel Reeves delivers her second Budget speech on 26th November.
Her failure (or was it her agent’s failure?) to obtain a license when she rented out her Dulwich property led to the inevitable deluge of comments from landlords who justifiably felt aggrieved when she went unpunished.
When we reported that dozens of landlords were fined for transgressions similar to the Chancellor’s, you took to the key boards.
Annoyed Landlord pointed out: any other Southwark landlord who has been fined now has grounds for appeal. Perhaps a class action?”
And TheMaluka pointed out : ”If Southwark Council have said they will not prosecute Rachel, then surely they are being derelict in their duty – unless, of course, they do not prosecute other landlords in similar circumstances. I would venture to suggest that the council MUST prosecute.”
And Tricia Urquhart observed helpfully: “I hope she has told HMRC she is a landlord, submitted her self-assessment on time and is preparing for MTD.”
When we carried a story about councils being given additional powers under the Renters Rights Act, there was this heartfelt plea from Rob NorthWest-Landlord: “ I can see an opportunity for a suitable example made to highlight these powers. If only there was a high profile person somewhere who ignored the rules and didn’t register a property. Someone with some financial knowledge or background, who should know better. Then a high profile fine, well publicised could be used to reinforce the message that the rules apply to all, and the consequences of non-compliance are harsh. I just can’t think of a single case that would serve the purpose.”
Me neither.
And when the Chancellor’s letting agency, Harvey and Wheeler, apologised to her for their error, Frank Jennings had no sympathy: “Ha ha ha!, One wonders what pressure was brought to bear or incentives to make such a statement on her behalf? The landlord is responsible, period!
“She should know, she voted for this stupid unfair rule, and many other rules like it! It reminds me of the saga of ministers caught breaking the speed limits on the motorways and then trying to wangle their way out of it.”
Remember, remember the fifth of November? That was the day there were fireworks in the comment columns of Landlord Today when we learned that the effects of the Renters Rights Act were likely to increase prices for tenants.
Annoyed Landlord had another suggestion: “Give those who voted Labour a higher rent rise. They deserve the extra pain.
“The small, private landlord, of which I am one, is doomed.
“This government have wrecked the PRS leaving the way open for the corporates. There is no quality social housing like the council houses of old, so standards will fall even further. If I could get a good price, I would sell up.”
More than one landlord agreed. Mark Adams said: “All the recent changes in the PRS are aimed intentionally to only impact smaller landlords. Only way to keep going and combat this is to find ways to operate outside the RRB. One way might be to use a carefully crafted Common Law contract…if we can find a way to do it, then I won’t need to make three families homeless.”
Michael Foley agreed: “ Whatever happens in the future this Act is a disaster. Hundreds of thousands of Landlords driven out by this Bill work overload costly and time consuming the Regulations are now so cumbersome which is a bigger headache than putting a roof over people heads or maintenance. The Re-payment Orders are a National Disgrace extortion Scheme and corruption at the highest level making a mockery out of the rules of Law – will Society have any respect left.”
And paulgbarr666 went further: “No other small businesses are denigrated by the Marxists. Only LL. Small LL all know how corporates can never be the answer and will always only have a particular sort of offer that most tenants won’t qualify for. With the small LL gone where will the vast majority of tenants live?”
Worried Landlord offered a glimmer of hope: “that if she gives in and does the logical thing (raising taxes for everyone) then there will be less need to target specific groups like landlords or farmers. They should never have made that ridiculous manifesto pledge, and easiest thing they could have done was reverse the 2% NI cut that the Conservatives implemented in 2024.”
Edwardf6 blames democracy: “Renters think rights are free and that this will make rents more affordable. They are bound for a rude awakening. Landlords are not their piggy bank.
“Rents will undoubtedly increase and there is nothing they’ll be able to do about it. If I was a landlord, I’d sell my property now. Politicians clearly do not understand why people with money buy rentals. It’s passive income. You get rent, in return you take care of the property, you repair what’s damaged and that’s it.
“With this bill it becomes a headache. The private rental market will be greatly diminished and what will be left is corporations. And if anybody thinks they’ll absorb these costs, good luck! They’ll pass these along to the tenants. In 10 years, I have no doubt this will be labelled as one of the worst bills for rent affordability. But hey, this is what Brits voted for.”
Until next time,
N
Nat Daniels is chief executive of Angels Media, publishers of Landlord Today and the other ‘Today’ property trade titles.
