From Carla Denyer via Twitter
Really pleased to see a new, beefed-up Renters' Rights Bill proposed by this government. The immediate ban on Section 21 'no fault' evictions is very welcome and will help protect over 10 million renters from risk of eviction. Longer notice periods, banning bidding wars, Awaab's law to address dangerous hazards such as damp and mould, a landlord register, abolishing blanket bans on those with children or on benefits, and a default right for tenants to have pets - all urgent and really positive.
But on affordability I would have liked to see a lot more. This is an opportunity missed. We must not miss this opportunity. There are some measures to stop rents being hiked very high mid-contract, but nothing to control overall affordability, e.g. by allowing councils to introduce rent controls in overheated housing markets as The Green Party long campaigned for. And a lot of reliance on individual tenants challenging increases, which inevitably means the most vulnerable, lacking the spare time or capacity, will face the most unreasonable rent increases.
Greens are also keen to ensure energy efficiency is properly and thoroughly addressed by this bill. A decent, warm home is a right. It is welcome that the Government is going to introduce a Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector but the devil will be in the detail, including how much funding is attached and how it is enforced.
This hugely important and urgent bill looks good as a starting point – but there is a serious gap on tackling sky-high rents and more clarity on making homes energy efficient and cheaper to heat would be hugely welcome. Where there are gaps, Green MPs really want to work with Ministers to close them. We had five years of failed promises from the last Tory Govt during which time households were threatened with homelessness over 80,000 times – this time we need swift and ambitious action for renters who are being ripped off, living in cold homes or being made homeless.
