In a bold move, the Labour Party has pledged to expand the scope of a planned crackdown on social housing landlords who neglect mouldy homes to include private landlords. This announcement comes in response to proposed measures by the government aimed at compelling social housing landlords to address unsafe living conditions.
Angela Rayner, Labour deputy leader and shadow housing secretary, asserted during an ITV interview that the party is committed to extending the proposed legislation to cover private landlords as well. She emphasized the need for a unified approach, stating, “[There are] 1.6 million children living in mouldy, damp, or cold houses in the private sector … You can’t distinguish between social landlords and private landlords if you’re renting a property. Mould is mould.”
Rayner expressed concerns about tenants’ hesitancy to voice complaints due to fears of being subjected to Section 21 notices, leading to no-fault evictions. She highlighted the real fears faced by families about their housing conditions and the potential consequences for their future.
Addressing the issue of enforcement, Rayner insisted on the necessity of holding both existing and future repair rules accountable. She also linked the problem to a shortage of housing supply, noting that families sometimes have to relocate over 200 miles to find suitable homes after their private properties are deemed unsuitable, impacting children’s education and parents’ employment.
“We have to do something about supply,” Rayner emphasized during an appearance on the Good Morning show on ITV.
Earlier this month, the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government initiated a consultation on a crackdown on rogue social landlords failing to provide safe homes. The proposed measures include strict time limits for social housing providers, compelling swift action in addressing hazards like damp and mould. Legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, initiate fixes within an additional seven days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours are also part of the proposal. Landlords failing to comply may face court orders to compensate tenants.
Notably, the government has excluded private landlords from a comparable legal framework.
In a tweet last evening, Angela Rayner reinforced her stance, stating, “Mould is mould. There is no justification for letting private landlords off the hook for resolving mould and damp issues in their properties. The Tories are refusing to extend protections to private renters. A Labour Government will.” The commitment signals the Labour Party’s determination to address housing issues across both social and private rental sectors.