NRLA leads industry coalition objecting to Renters' Rights amendment
Organisations from across the private rented sector, led by the NRLA, have joined forces to object to Government plans to limit the amount of rent landlords can take up front.
As the Renters' Rights Bill is debated in the Commons today a coalition from across the industry has written to the Government flagging serious concerns that the move will cause significant problems for landlords and tenants, making it harder for some groups to access homes to rent.
In the letter to the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) we argue that many renters who have poor credit history or variable incomes often offer advance rent to mitigate the risk to landlords who may otherwise be concerned they wouldn't be able to maintain the tenancy.
If this is no longer an option for them the risk may be deemed too high by landlords, limiting options for these tenants when it comes to finding a home.
In addition to the NRLA, signatories include the British Property Federation, Propertymark, Goodlord, and Leaders Romans Group.
Speaking ahead of Report stage and Third Reading today, the coalition said: “We accept that Section 21 repossessions are ending, and support measures to ensure every rental property is of a decent quality.
"However, the Government’s proposed changes risk making access to rented housing harder for the very people we want to support.
“Limiting rent in advance, combined with frozen housing benefit rates and not enough rental housing will make it all but impossible for those with poor or no credit histories in the UK to prove their ability to sustain tenancies.
"These include international students, workers from overseas and those employed on a short-term or variable basis with an income that fluctuates.
“Cutting off any assurance landlords might seek when renting to those who cannot easily prove their ability to afford a tenancy is neither practical nor responsible. Those who will suffer are those most likely to struggle to pass affordability checks.”
More information
- For full details of the amendments tabled to the Renters’ Rights Bill ahead of report stage click here.
- You can keep up to date with all the developments of the Renters Rights Bill, by accessing our exclusive member Hub here.
- NRLA members can sign up for our next webinar on the Renters' Rights Bill to be held tomorrow,15 January. The session will run from noon til 1pm. on Zoom. For more information and to sign up click here.
- Extra dates have been added for our new Renters’ Rights course, after training sessions sold out in record time. For more information and to book click here.
- Be sure to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletters for all the latest news and updates on the Bill.
