Tories warned not to backtrack as long-awaited reforms for renters delayed again
Tory ministers have been warned not to fail renters like they have failed first-time buyers as vital housing legislation was delayed again.
The Government had vowed to finally publish the Renters’ Reform Bill this week, more than four years after the Tories first promised to scrap no-fault evictions.
But the long-anticipated overhaul has been postponed due to “procedural issues”.
Labour’s Lisa Nandy warned the further delay would fuel doubts that ministers will deliver fully on their promises to the 4.4million households privately renting in the UK.
The Shadow Housing Secretary said: “Our message to the government is clear, do not backtrack on the promises you have made, do not drop any commitments, do not roll over to your backbenchers again.”
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Labour has promised to bring in its own renter reform charter to beef up rights if it gets into power.
Michael Gove had promised the Renters' Reform Bill would be published this week (Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)“We will tilt the balance of power with powerful new rights and protections for tenants, including longer notice periods, a ban on no-fault evictions and the right to make changes to your home,” Ms Nandy said.
Alongside the proposed reforms to the private rented sector, Labour has said it will make wider changes to the housing system to build more homes.
The party has already announced plans to give first-time buyers first dibs on new houses in their area, stopping foreign buyers buying up swathes of new housing developments before they are completed and increasing the stamp duty paid by foreign buyers of UK property.
Ms Nandy pointed to the Conservative’s record of failure on housebuilding, after it has caved to pressure on MPs over housing targets.
People wanting to get on the property ladder have been hit by higher mortgages costs, after the government crashed the economy.
The Tories have scrapped housebuilding targets following pressure from backbenchers (PA)The frontbencher added: “Labour has ambitious plans to get Britain building, delivering more genuinely affordable homes to own, more social housing and a better regulated, professionalised private rented sector.
“Under a Labour government, people will once again have access to the security and dignity of a decent, affordable home.”
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities spokesman said: “We are absolutely committed to delivering a fairer deal for renters.
“We will bring forward legislation very shortly, which will include a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions, so that all tenants have greater security in their homes and are empowered to challenge poor conditions.
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“We are also introducing a Decent Homes Standard for the Private Rented Sector for the first time ever which will make sure privately rented homes are safe and decent.”
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