Labour has made a solid start with regard to the lettings sector according to a high profile rental law expert.
The Head of Property Lettings and Revenue at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, Gina Peters, was a long-standing critic of the last government’s Renters Reform Bill - and has reservations about Labour’s version - but is nonetheless encouraged by the first three weeks of the new administration.
Referring to the appointment of Matthew Pennycook as housing minister she says: “Pennycook is a very sensible appointment. With a background in the charitable sector before coming an MP, he has been very involved in the former government's Renters Reform Bill, publicly scrutinizing the detail and tabling many amendments, so this is a man who can hit the ground running with knowledge and experience.”
On Labour’s new Renters Righta Bill she is more cautious, commenting: “The proposed legislation is not dramatically different in its early mention and, whilst designed to protect the tenant, there will be changes to assist the landlord.
“These include expanded possession grounds for landlords to reclaim properties when they need to, as without section 21 this is the only route to possession that landlords will have.
"However, these new grounds are critical in regaining the confidence of landlords in the private rented sector. I am not expecting any changes to the grounds to be as ‘generous’ as they may have appeared in the original Renters’ Reform Bill, and this could be problematic.”
But overall she says that after the many months of delay, diluting of proposed legislation and lack of any consultation and engagement from the last government, Labour has made a solid start.
“I have been impressed by the speed at which the new government has addressed the issues that that have been the source of nervous speculation and anxiety in the lettings market for many months, but we have heard grand declarations of intent before.
“Whilst the intention and objectives are clear from a lawyer’s perspective this changes nothing until the Courts resources are invested in.
“Whilst there has been mention of a review of the justice system for possession cases before the abolition of section 21, this leaves the new government in the same predicament as the former. A report from the Lord Chancellor was proposed, but without deadline or detail.”
She says what is needed now is clarity and a detailed timetable of action.
“Only that will end the uncertainty that has seen landlords flee the marketplace and reduce the number of homes available to people in need, with consequential rent increases.
“Though there have been a lot of them, and they have new voices in a time of excitement and anticipation for change, these are still just words, and no amount of productivity, progress or growth can be built on rhetoric alone. This new government has had plenty of time to work out the detail, and that is what we need to see, fast.”
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