In an exclusive article for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Housing Secretary Michael Gove has highlighted the indispensable contribution of independent landlords in ensuring a fair and well-functioning private rented sector. Gove emphasized the significance of landlords in offering tenants “flexibility and choice, and the value for money options that go with them.”
Addressing NRLA members in their magazine, the Housing Secretary outlined the government’s intentions to reform the sector following the introduction of the Renters (Reform) Bill. Gove underscored the importance of the landlord-tenant relationship, describing it as one of the most crucial connections, where both parties share common interests in a property. He stated that a property should be a home, an investment, a valuable asset, and a sanctuary, emphasizing the need for these relationships to work for everyone and achieve a balanced outcome.
Focusing on the government’s proposed reforms, which include the termination of Section 21 repossessions, Gove warned that in cases where the landlord-tenant relationship breaks down, it is crucial for the law to protect the victim, be it the tenant or the landlord. He pledged to provide landlords with more comprehensive grounds to reclaim their properties and facilitate easier repossession in cases where tenants are at fault.
Furthermore, Gove expressed a commitment to improving the court system for repossession cases, suggesting the utilization of digital platforms as a means to expedite the processing of legitimate claims for repossession.
Concluding his article, the Secretary of State expressed enthusiasm for collaborating closely with the NRLA to shape the sector in the best interests of both landlords and tenants across the country.
Responding to Gove’s article, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, welcomed the Housing Secretary’s commitments and his recognition of the vital role played by individual landlords. Beadle echoed Gove’s sentiments, emphasizing that the Renters (Reform) Bill must consider the needs of responsible landlords alongside those of tenants to avoid exacerbating the current rental housing shortage. He pledged the NRLA’s ongoing collaboration with government officials to ensure that the bill’s details cater to the interests of all parties involved, including advocating for improvements in the courts system to prevent landlords from enduring prolonged waits when seeking legitimate property repossession.