Tory council urges Gove to implement Rental Reform legislation

A Conservative controlled council in the Cotswolds has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove, urging him to implement rental reform legislation.

The Tories narrowly hold Cherwell council - the party has 25 seats with the four opposition parties totalling 23 - and this week it’s written to the government demanding urgent progress.

A statement from the authority says: “The council is responding to public concern over the dangers of substandard housing by calling for a rebalancing of the relationship between renters and landlords and for greater powers for local authorities to intervene when it becomes necessary.”

The Rental Reform Bill promises, among other measures, to end Section 21 evictions.

Councillor Nicholas Mawer, portfolio holder for housing on the council, says: “We welcome the government’s proposed Renters Reform Bill. It will empower tenants by making them feel more secure in their homes and more confident of the standard of housing they should receive.

“With the cost of living crisis putting pressure on people who rent their homes, and with the deeply troubling death of Awaab Ishak still fresh in our minds, we are calling on ministers to bring forward these vital reforms without delay.

“Making sure everyone in our district has housing that meets their needs is one of our key commitments as a council. But all too often we come across troubling examples of bad practice that are only placing more stress and pressure on tenants, many of whom are often vulnerable.

“When required we will not hesitate to take enforcement action to support tenants, and the promised measures - including fresh powers to tackle failings by social housing landlords – would enable us to do more for our residents.

“We are keen to support this rebalancing of the relationship between tenants and landlords locally and are in conversation with tenants and social housing providers to help shape a new Tenant Charter for our area.”

The council’s Tenant Charter would - in the authority’s words - “help renters understand their rights and what they can expect from their landlords, while encouraging landlords to follow best practice.”

The letter also calls on the government to show further commitment to helping people insulate their homes in light of the climate emergency.

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