Rental Reform - Labour says Tories are divided and Bi...

A newspaper which often carries leaks of new Labour policies has produced an interesting theory on the fate of the Renters Reform Bill.

The Independent says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is unwilling to ‘take on’ MPs from his own party who are increasingly concerned about provisions in the Renters Reform Bill.

The newspaper claims there are now “significant doubts” about the future of the Bill which intended to abolish Section 21, create a lettings Ombudsman and a mandatory register of landlords.

Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy - who this week confirmed that Labour was officially opposed to rent controls - claims tenants are “in limbo” while “ministers and Tory MPs argue amongst themselves” over the fate of the reform legislation.

She says: “Labour will never treat renters as second-class citizens. We will make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable with our Renters’ Charter.

“We will scrap no-fault evictions, introduce a four-month notice period for landlords, a national register of landlords, and a suite of new rights for tenants – including the right to make alterations to your home, the right to request speedy repairs, and the right to have pets.”

The Bill was introduced into the Commons with a fanfare six weeks ago and recently Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt hinted that its Second Reading stage would begin soon.

The Commons summer recess is from July 20 to September 4.

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