Controversial MP to champion landlord concerns in Par...

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02 August 2023

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Controversial MP to champion landlord concerns in Parliament

A controversial MP sacked by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this year says he will take up the cause of landlords concerned about periodic tenancies.

Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi has met with Nik Kyriacou, the associate director of lettings agency Sheldon Bosley Knight.

A statement from Kyriacou says Zahawi was aware of the issue of periodic tenancies, which was a measure in the Renters’ Reform Bill; the MP recognised the issue would have a negative impact on landlords, not least financially.

Zahawi told the agent that the purpose of the Bill was to “deal with rogue landlords” but agreed “at the same time we must listen to legitimate concerns”.

He said: “We all want a fair private rental sector. This [the abolition of periodic tenancies] will make it more difficult in terms of finance and security of tenure. I believe in contract law and one of the best things about investing in the UK is we have the best legal framework in the world. Contracts matter and so fixed terms make sense to me.

“It would be disturbing if they [tenants] left a tenancy under those [new] conditions. A landlord would be stuck.”

Kyriacou said Zahawi also recognised that the abolition of fixed term tenancies would be a problem for students and student landlords.

The agent outlined other issues facing landlords and tenants including increased taxation for investors, more demand than there are properties available, increased rents and the cost associated with upgrading properties to conform with the EPC requirements.

Kyriacou says: “The meeting with Mr Zahawi was extremely positive. He was receptive and responsive and has promised to look into our concerns and raise them with the government.

“He has so far been the only MP in our patch who responded to not just our letter to [Housing Secretary] Mr Gove regarding the Bill, but also our requests to meet and discuss the proposals which we believe will have a detrimental impact on both landlords and tenants and could result in landlords leaving the sector.

“He has promised to look in detail at the proposals within the Bill and take our concerns to Mr Gove.”

Zahawi was sacked by Sunak when the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests identified seven breaches of the Ministerial Code in January this year. The Prime Minister dismissed Zahawi immediately.

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