Campaigns and Policy Update: Making Your Voice Heard
As Parliament and Senedd prepared to go into summer recess, the NRLA’s Policy and Campaigns Team were busy making a final push to ensure your concerns were heard by elected officials in both Westminster and Cardiff. Campaigns and Public Affairs Executive, Samuel Leeson, explains more.
Influencing Legislation: The Renters (Reform) Bill
In July, the NRLA contributed to an evidence session hosted by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee. The focus of the session was the Government’s Renters (Reform) Bill and the Committee’s private rented sector (PRS) report. NRLA Chief Executive, Ben Beadle used this platform to raise crucial concerns about the impact of rising interest rates and increased taxation on landlords, and how these factors have affected the supply of rented homes in the PRS.
The evidence session touched on a variety of issues affecting the PRS, allowing Ben to warn parliamentarians about the consequences the introduction of open-ended tenancies, as outlined in the Renters (Reform) Bill, would have on the student housing sector.
He also highlighted the concerns many landlords have regarding gaining possession of their properties through the courts without Section 21.
Engaging with Stakeholders on the Renters (Reform) Bill
Our Campaigns and Policy Team also participated in a stakeholder advisory group to discuss the implementation of certain aspects of the Renters (Reform) Bill. The session, coordinated by officials from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, focused on the courts' role in handling possession cases related to anti-social behaviour.
The discussions explored the types of evidence that can be used, and the factors judges must consider when deciding whether to award possession.
Energy Efficiency Campaign Success
In a major win for our energy efficiency campaign, Secretary of State for Housing, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, suggested that energy efficiency proposals for landlords should be delayed in light of the significant financial pressures they are now facing.
This announcement came after a productive meeting between the policy team and the Minister for Energy Efficiency, Lord Callanan, during which we highlighted the need for a workable timeframe on new minimum energy efficiency standards.
Advocating for Landlords Impacted by the Building Safety Act
In our on-going efforts to address the impact of the Building Safety Act on landlords who do not qualify for funding to remediate building safety failures, we collaborated with solicitors involved in drafting the Earl of Lytton’s Building Safety Remediation Scheme amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
Armed with evidence from our recent survey of non-qualifying leaseholders, we are briefing parliamentarians and Government officials and are urging members to write to their MPs on this critical issue.
Welsh Government Engagement
In recent Welsh-related developments, our Campaigns and Policy Team participated in a stakeholder advisory group focusing on Rent Smart Wales, coordinated by Welsh Government Officials.
During this meeting, we extended our support to the Welsh Government’s efforts to educate landlords on damp and mould related matters. Additionally, we outlined steps the Welsh Government can take to improve compliance with Rent Smart Wales registration.
Support our Campaigns and Get Involved!
We are committed to advocating for your interests as landlords at the highest levels of government.
To discover how you can contribute to our campaigning, take a look at the NRLA’s write to your MP page, where you can find templates letters and our online tool that will automatically find your local MP and ensure your letter follows parliamentary protocol.
As always, we appreciate your ongoing support and remember, your voice matters, and with your support, we can drive positive change for landlords across the country.