General Election 2024: The NRLA’s three key asks
With the election now less than two weeks away, the NRLA has outlined three key asks of the new government; issues we believe are vital when it comes to protecting – and growing – the private rented sector (PRS).
A thriving PRS is essential, not just to the millions of people that look to it for a home, but for the economic stability of the country as a whole.
Changes, we know, are inevitable regardless of who triumphs at the polls on 4 July, and we are committed to working with the new government to ensure any new legislation is fair to landlords and tenants, and is phased in over a reasonable time period, to allow both to adjust.
With this in mind, we are asking for:
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Rental reform that works for all
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A long-term stable housing strategy and
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Provision of the homes that people need, where they need them
These calls focus on the need for well-rounded plans to tackle the chronic shortage of rental homes, as well as encouraging a measured approach to reform of the sector.
Rental reform that works for all
Removing Section 21 is something that the Conservatives and Labour have called for, for a number of years now. We have been clear from the outset that this can only happen if there are workable possession grounds and a suitable timeframe for implementation. These also needs to be clarity about housing standards that work across all tenures, and that are implemented consistently across England and Wales.
A long-term stable housing strategy
Ambitious house-building pledges are one thing, but the NRLA wants to see the development of a 10-year housing strategy with clear achievable outcomes to support the creation of homes of all tenures to cope with increasing demand. This strategy would also encourage robust enforcement by local authorities to improve standards, using existing powers. It would also include proposals for a properly funded court services to ensure landlords and tenants are properly supported.
Provision of the homes that people need, where they need them
The PRS is the first port of call for new households, be that young people flying the nest, families moving into the UK, or couples setting up home together for the first time. It is also vital when it comes to labour mobility.
With the population predicted to grow by 10% over the next decade, it is clear demand for rental homes is only going to go up – particularly in towns and cities with robust job markets. For the sector to keep up with this demand it will need significant investment, which is why we will be calling on the government to remove stamp duty on additional homes and reintroduce mortgage interest relief to stimulate this growth.
Welfare calls
Alongside our key asks, we are also lobbying on the issue of welfare.
Recent research by the NRLA showed increasing numbers of landlords are renting to tenants in receipt of benefits, with a quarter of private renters receiving housing support to help pay their rent.
These tenants are currently in limbo, not knowing if the support they receive will continue to be linked to actual rents from April next year.
This is why we will be continuing to call on the next government to commit to ensuring the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), used to calculate benefit payments, covers 50% of rents in given area for the duration of the next parliament. This will give some security to these tenants – and the landlords who house them.
NRLA Policy Director Chris Norris said: “What we are proposing is considered, workable solutions that can give landlords the confidence to stay in the sector and continue to invest.
“We are already experiencing a supply and demand crisis, which is only set to get worse going forwards. We need to future-proof the PRS now to ensure that we can provide tenants with safe, warm and secure homes in the places they want to live.”
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For all the latest on the party pledges as regards the PRS please visit our General Election Hub.
